French-Irish Man Sentenced To 6.5 Years In Iran As Health Worsens, Sister Says

A French-Irish national who has been incarcerated in Iran for five months has been sentenced to 6.5 years in prison for "providing information to another country," his sister says, adding that he is at risk of dying.

Bernard Phélan "had been promised an early release for health reasons before this was cancelled," Caroline Phélan said in a statement on March 8. She said his eyesight had now worsened.

A spokesperson for Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs said the government was extremely concerned about the case, especially given the 64-year-old prisoner’s ill health.

In January, the French Foreign Ministry accused the Iranian authorities of denying Phélan urgent medical care.

The Paris-based travel consultant was arrested in early October while travelling, as anti-government protests spread across Iran.

The prisoner, who is being held in the northeastern city of Mashhad, suspended a dry hunger strike in December.

He has denied the charges against him.

Western governments have repeatedly accused the Islamic Republic of taking dual and foreign nationals hostage for the sole purpose of using them in prisoner swaps.

The authorities have recently released Iranian-French academic Fariba Adelkhah from prison, but it is still unclear when she will be allowed to return to France.

Another jailed French national, Benjamin Brière, was cleared of all charges and ordered to be released from prison, his lawyer said earlier this month. However, he has remained in custody without a reason given for his prolonged detention.

Many European countries have urged their nationals to leave Iran, warning that they face the risk of arbitrary arrest or unfair trial.

The Islamic Republic has claimed that the anti-government demonstrations that have swept the country for more than five months are instigated by its foreign foes. Officials did not provide any evidence backing the allegation.