Islamic Republic Announces Release of French-Irish Citizen from Prison in Mashhad

Sources close to the Iranian government say Bernard Filan, a French-Irish national, has been released on 'humanitarian grounds.' Early Friday, the IRNA news agency reported: 'Bernard Filan, a French-Irish citizen who was arrested and tried for gathering and sending security information during the peak of protests in Iran, has been released under a judicial order and for humanitarian considerations.' As of the time of this report (9 AM Friday), media outlets in Ireland or France have not confirmed this news. Most Iranian state media refer to a report from the Iranian Foreign Ministry's website, which claims that Mr. Filan's release occurred shortly after a phone conversation between the Iranian Foreign Minister and Michael Martin, the Irish Foreign Minister. The Iranian Foreign Ministry's report also quotes the Irish Foreign Minister as saying that Ireland is never interested in making a misjudgment about the governing body of the Revolutionary Guards. We are aware of Iran's role in the fight against terrorism. Mr. Martin's Twitter account and the Irish Foreign Ministry's website have not yet published any reactions to Bernard Filan's release or details of the conversation between the two foreign ministers. Bernard Filan, 64, a dual Irish-French citizen active in the tourism industry, was arrested in early October amid the expansion of anti-government protests in Mashhad. He was initially held in solitary confinement for several weeks and then transferred to Vakilabad Prison (Mashhad), where he is currently being held. Bernard suffers from heart problems and chronic bone issues. Bernard Filan's sister stated: 'He loved Iran and invited everyone to travel there; please release him for Nowruz.' The family of Bernard Filan has expressed concern about the condition of this Iran-loving tourist who has been imprisoned, telling Voice of America that his physical condition is 'deteriorating.' Relatives of Bernard Filan, the Irish-French citizen imprisoned in Mashhad, say his health condition is critical. The family of Bernard Filan, the Irish-French citizen imprisoned in Mashhad, claims he was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison. France has called for the immediate release of Bernard Filan and six other French prisoners. Bernard Filan, the French-Irish citizen imprisoned in Mashhad, has ended his hunger strike.