French tourist jailed in Iran, accused of spying

A French tourist has been jailed for 8 years in Iran, after being accused of spying

French national Benjamin Briere has been sentenced to eight years in prison in Iran, on spying charges.

The 36-year-old was arrested in May 20-20, for flying a drone near the nation’s border. The remote-controlled mini-helicopter was used for aerial or motion images in a desert area near Iran’s border.

The French foreign ministry has responded to the prison sentence, labeling it totally “unacceptable” saying the conviction has “no basis in fact”.

A lawyer for the tourist says his client is becoming weaker by the day after starting a hunger strike in December.

They argue the accused “did not have a fair trial in front of impartial judges” and the verdict is the result of a purely political process.

Photo Credit: Reuters

Briere has consistently denied any wrongdoing, and will appeal against the ruling. Briere is reportedly shocked by the sentence.