"The return to normal life is going to be long and certainly difficult." Frenchman Benjamin Brière, back in France after being released Friday by Iran with his compatriot Bernard Phelan, is "relieved and soothed", but "very weakened physically and morally", said his family in a statement on Saturday.
Benjamin Brière, 37, and Bernard Phelan, 64, were released after a long captivity in Iran, and arrived Friday night aboard a medical plane at Le Bourget airport, near Paris. The thirty-year-old, greatly diminished by a hunger strike, was arrested in May 2020, accused of espionage. Bernard Phelan, 64, a tourism consultant, also ill, was arrested on October 3, 2022 for endangering national security.
VIDEO. "I don't realize": Benjamin Brière's sister reacts to his release
"We were able to hug him at 19:30 p.m. on Friday, May 12 after 3 years of hell," wrote Benjamin Brière's family in a text thanking the French authorities "for their unfailing support" and journalists for "carrying our voices". "He is, like all of us, relieved, soothed, and tries to realize that he is there, with us. He is however very weakened, physically and morally, the return to a normal life will be long and certainly difficult, but he is now in good hands," the statement said.
Five Frenchmen still detained in Iran
The two men, who have always maintained their innocence, were released "in good faith" as part of "humanitarian action", Iran's Foreign Ministry said. Four other French nationals are still detained in Iran, a fifth was released in February but cannot leave the country. For months, the France has denounced these arbitrary detentions, speaking of "state hostages". Other European countries and human rights activists accuse Tehran of detaining dozens of foreigners in a blackmail strategy.
"All our thoughts are now with the other five French hostages still held in Iran. We also think of the other families of European hostages held in Iran, with whom we shared this heavy and painful struggle. We send them strength and courage, and will continue to fight alongside them," concludes Benjamin Brière's family.
