Iran: Franco-Irish Bernard Phelan sentenced to six and a half years in prison
Undated photograph of Bernard Phelan, made available by the latter's family on January 18, 2023. AFP - HANDOUT
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2 mins
Bernard Phelan has been in prison in Iran for five months now.
This Franco-Irish national, aged 64, was arrested in October.
The man is in fragile health and his family fears he will die in custody.
Especially since Bernard Phelan was tried twice in a few days at the end of February.
And that his sentence was increased.
He is now sentenced to six and a half years in prison.
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The first hearing took place on February 20, followed by a second six days later.
Both also expeditious, indicates Caroline Massé-Phelan, the sister of Bernard Phelan, who explains that at each of the two hearings, his lawyer was absent.
“
The court, if you can call it that, was February 26,
she recalls.
There was twenty minutes' notice, he was not allowed to have his lawyer with him.
the week before, it was the same, this time it was three and a half years, and he was going to be released because of his health and his age.
»
Between the two hearings, Bernard Phelan's sentence was therefore extended by three years, assures his sister.
He was initially sentenced to three and a half years in prison with a promise to be released due to his medical condition.
Then the sentence was changed to six and a half years in prison, and the prospect of release withdrawn.
Bernard Phelan has been accused of delivering information to an enemy country, but the conviction has not been officially notified, no one knows what are the facts of which he is really accused or if an appeal is possible.
“His doctor is worried”
“
Normally, if it was a real court, he would have time to appeal,
believes his sister.
But since we don't have the papers, we don't have any information, we're really a bit in the dark in this situation.
»
Like that of the other French detainees in Iran, Bernard Phelan's family believes that he is a pawn used by the Islamic Republic in its relationship with Western countries.
Caroline Massé-Phelan wants to keep hope, but it is necessary, she warns, rapid progress.
Caroline Massé-Phelan is worried because her brother's state of health is deteriorating and his conditions of detention are extremely difficult.
His health is very, very bad.
His doctor is worried about his health too, because he has cardiovascular problems, and his eyes have problems, he is going blind.
He sees five feet away today...
Caroline Massé-Phelan on the state of health of her brother Bernard Phelan
Guilhem Delteil
► To read also: A German national is added to the list of European citizens detained in Iran
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