Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted

Iran frees two French citizens on humanitarian grounds

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News Websites
  • 12 May 2023 19:26
2 Min Read

Two French nationals detained in Iran have been freed on humanitarian grounds, according to an Iranian Foreign Ministry official on Friday.

  • x
  • knsdjkf
    French-Iranian Fariba Adelkhah was released from prison on Friday (AFP)

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani announced the release of two French citizens from Iranian prisons in a statement issued on Friday.

He stated that the two French citizens, one of whom also possesses Irish nationality, were freed by the Iranian judiciary as a "goodwill" gesture, as a "humanitarian measure and in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations."

According to the Spokesperson, Iran released the two French nationals in response to requests made by France at various levels and following negotiations, including a Friday phone call between Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and his French counterpart Catherine Colonna.

At a news conference on January 3, Iran's Judiciary Spokesperson Massoud Setayeshi revealed that the two French citizens had been detained on allegations of spying and cooperation against national security.

Bernard Phelan, who also holds Irish nationality, and Benjamin Briere were freed from a prison in Mashhad, and according to FM Catherine Colonna were "on their way to France."

Related News

What is Netanyahu smoking? Araghchi slams Israeli influence over US

Iran accuses 'Israel' of environmental war crimes during aggression

They were among about two dozen foreigners imprisoned in Iran on national security charges.

Phelan was suspected of taking photographs of a burnt mosque and police officers and transmitting them to a British publication during the riots in Iran in September, according to his relatives.

Read more: Iranian intel. dismantles Mossad teams, acquires data on ringleader

Phelan was arrested in Mashhad in October and, in April, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison. 

Briere, 37, was arrested in Iran in May 2020 while traveling and was eventually sentenced to eight years in jail for espionage.

French President Emmanuel Macron said France would continue to work for the return of those still detained in Iran. 

Macron said on Twitter: "Free, finally. Benjamin Briere and Bernard Phelan can reunite with their loved ones. It's a relief."

  • Tehran
  • France
  • nasser
  • Iran

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS