Iran – Q&A – (25 May 2022)

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Q: Thursday will mark the second anniversary of Benjamin Brière’s detention in Iran, where he was sentenced to eight years in prison for spying. Another two French citizens were arrested recently, bringing the number of French citizens detained in Iran to four. Other Europeans are also being held. What is the status of discussions with Tehran? Is a joint European initiative being considered?

A: The French authorities are mobilizing all their efforts with regard to our citizens held in Iran.

Benjamin Brière’s eight-year prison sentence for “spying” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime” are unacceptable. Our embassy in Tehran maintains regular contact with our fellow citizen in keeping with the consular protection principle enshrined in the Vienna Convention of April 24, 1963, and has organized several consular visits, most recently on May 23.

France is also very closely monitoring the situation of Fariba Adelkhah and the other two French nationals who were arbitrarily arrested in Iran not long ago. We call for their immediate release.