Bernard Filan, Victim of the Islamic Republic's Hostage-Taking: The Bitter Memories of Prison Haunt Me

Bernard Filan, a 64-year-old Irish-French citizen who was imprisoned in the Islamic Republic for over 7 months, says he has developed post-traumatic stress disorder after his release and cannot forget the bitter memories of that time. This tourism industry activist was arrested in Mashhad during the widespread protests in November 2022 and released in June 2023. He told the Irish Times, "We were a pawn for prisoner exchange with Europe. We were released because the Belgians freed an Iranian prisoner in exchange for four Europeans. But I had committed no crime; I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time." He also recounted terrifying memories from his days and nights in prison in Iran, stating, "The guards constantly told me I would die in prison, but I knew I would eventually get out; I just didn’t know if it would be in six months or six years." Filan added that due to the hardships and resulting mental health issues, French authorities have provided him with psychiatric services. He mentioned that a long-sleeved black shirt was a source of fear for him, saying, "Recently at a party, when someone wore a long-sleeved black shirt, my color drained, and I remembered that the officials and guards wear long-sleeved black shirts during religious holidays." This Irish-French citizen emphasized that the saddest day in the early days of his detention was when he was falsely told he would return to France. He added, "They know how to give hope and then take it away. I had no physical fear, but they did something called 'white torture'; that is, giving hope and then crushing it. This is psychological torture." He also stated, "I have many very good friends in Iran, and it is very sad that I will probably never see them again because I will never return to Iran under the Islamic Republic." Filan further emphasized that nightmares still torment him, and even with sleeping pills, he cannot sleep well at night, as nightmares chain him. In these nightmares, he sees himself lying on the ground and being kicked. This unpleasant experience ends with his crying, but he wakes up still feeling its effects. Bernard Filan, a tourism consultant and an eager visitor to Iran, was working on a project to design a tourism tour called the 'Silk Road Train' from 'Istanbul to the Far East.' He was arrested on charges of endangering the 'security of the Islamic Republic' and subsequently sentenced to six and a half years in prison. Bernard Filan's sister: It is shameful that my brother has become a hostage in the Islamic Republic's deal with Europe. Bernard Filan's sister: He loved Iran and invited everyone to travel; free him for Nowruz. Bernard Filan's sister's request from the Islamic Republic: My brother is innocent; free him. Shirin Ebadi to VOA: Paying ransom to the Islamic Republic is not in Europe's interest. France and Ireland confirmed the release of their two citizens imprisoned in Iran. The Islamic Republic announced the release of the French-Irish citizen from prison in Mashhad. The physical condition of the French-Irish citizen imprisoned in Iran is 'deteriorating.'