Iran frees two French citizens on humanitarian grounds

• 

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."

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."