Iran: The French Detained Is Prosecuted For “espionage”

Benjamin Brière has been detained in Iran since May 2020. According to lawyer Saïd Dehghan, he appeared in court on charges of “espionage” and “propaganda against the political system” of the Islamic Republic. Lawyer for the Franco-Iranian researcher Fariba Adelkhah, under house arrest in Tehran, he suggested that this trial is coming to an end. Me Dehghan could not be reached immediately by Agence France-Presse to confirm, following his message on Twitter, that he is indeed in charge of the Frenchman’s defense.

The avocado’s tweet is accompanied by a photo of a young bearded man against the backdrop of typical Iranian barren mountain scenery, and another showing what appears to be the same person jumping next to a camper van stopped on a salt lake. “The defense of Benjamin Brière for the two counts of espionage and propaganda against the system took place”, writes Me Dehghan.

A question asked on social networks

“Accusation of espionage [pour] photographs of areas prohibited by this French tourist, ”adds the lawyer in a telegraphic style. Benjamin Brière is also accused of “propaganda” for having “asked the question [sur les réseaux sociaux] to know why the Islamic veil is “compulsory” in the Islamic Republic [d’Iran], but “optional” in other Muslim countries, “writes Me Dehghan.

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