Family ‘relieved’ after Irish man Bernard Phelan released from Iranian prison

The family of Bernard Phelan have said they “cannot express how relived we are” after he was released from an Iranian prison on humanitarian grounds after being arrested last year.

The 64-year-old Irish-French national spent “more than 200 days” in a prison in north-east Iran after his arrest in Mashhad in October 2022 while on a trip.

His release was announced by the Iranian embassy in Ireland and confirmed by the Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin.

Mr Phelan’s sister Caroline Phelan said in a statement: “We received confirmation of Bernard’s release today and cannot express how relieved we are.

“So many people have been involved in making this moment happen and we want to thank everybody.

“Bernard has been held captive for over 200 days, so at this time we gratefully ask that he is given the time and space needed to recover.”

During his detention, his family said he had been charged with “providing information to an enemy country”, an accusation Mr Phelan denied.

Amnesty International, which had called for his immediate release and raised concerns about the prison sentence he received in February, welcomed his release.

It said that his “arbitrary” detention and the “gravity” of violations of his fair trial rights called for Phelan to be given an enforceable right to reparations.

The human rights group and Mr Phelan’s family had raised concerns about his deteriorating health, and that he required daily medication for a number of health conditions.

His family had previously said his eyesight was deteriorating as he had an operation on both eyes before his trip to Iran and had not had any follow-up treatment.

Amnesty had called on the Iranian authorities to grant him access to adequate healthcare, including all necessary medication and treatment.

His relatives also said he had been denied access to a lawyer of his own choosing.

In a statement, the embassy said: “Constructive diplomatic engagement between Iran and Ireland has resulted in pardoning and releasing of the Irish citizen Bernard Phelan on consular and humanitarian grounds.”

Confirming the release, Mr Martin said the last seven months had been a “very difficult ordeal for Bernard and for his family”.

He added: “I am pleased and relieved that this is now at an end.

“I also welcome the release of Benjamin Briere, a French national who was imprisoned with Bernard in Mashhad prison.

“Many people have worked tirelessly for this outcome over many months.

“I am deeply appreciative of the efforts of the French government and my counterpart, French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, for their work to resolve this case.

“I spoke to the Iranian foreign minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, yesterday and I acknowledge the assistance of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in relation to Mr Phelan’s release.

“I am also very grateful to our consular team in the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin, our diplomats on the ground in our mission in Tehran, and our ambassador in Turkey accredited to Iran.

“I have continually stressed the urgency of Mr Phelan’s release on humanitarian grounds.

“This case has been a key priority for me throughout my time as Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs.

“I look forward to Bernard’s imminent arrival back home.”

President Michael D Higgins said: “May I thank all of those, on all sides, who have worked to secure this positive outcome for Bernard Phelan and his family.

“Mr Phelan’s release will come as a particular relief to Bernard’s father, Vincent, with whom I have been in correspondence, and to all of his family and friends who have worked with such dignity to secure his return home.

“As President of Ireland, I strongly welcome his release by the Iranian authorities, after what I know has been a very distressing time.”