Duel Iranian/French Citizen Held On Suspicion of Spycraft for Drone Photography

Iran has sentenced a globetrotting tourist to nearly a decade in prison after his arrest along the Iran-Turkmenistan border last May.

The sentence given consists of 8 years for spying, and an additional 8 months for the creation of propaganda against the regime, charges which the French Foreign Affairs Office refers to as "groundless". 

Benjamin Brière, says his lawyer, was not given a fair trial in front of impartial judges, nor was he given information on his charges. His arrest in the Karakum desert occurred near what is described by the Iranian government as a "restricted area", and his possession of photographic equipment and drones was proof positive of his trade as a spy subverting the Iranian government. Drone use is legal in the country, but carries strict requirements for location, permits, and usage with prior approval. The exact circumstances surrounding the arrest and trial of Brière are a black box, from the outside, even to the point where it is wondered if he strayed into Iranian territory in the sprawling sands. His dual French/Iranian citizenship will reportedly do little good, say those in the know, as warnings from common travel guides point out Iran's lack of recognition for dual nationalism. The French government has been requested to assist in freeing the prisoner, who has gone on a hunger strike in protest while his appeal is under consideration.

The outcome is no surprise to those familiar with the systems of the country, as they have previously used incarcerated foreign nationals as bartering chips in their bids with western powers. The accusation of espionage for photographers is not new, note some commentators, as previous arrests on similar bases have occurred. As is often the case with globe trotters looking to outdo the rest of the internet with bigger, better, more exotic locales. What better, wonder some, than the region abutting an unflinchingly aggressive regime hungry for leverage in their deals with western powers?

One overlander couple in 2017 ran afoul of the revolutionary guard in similar fashion, released from Evin prison long after their initial arrest. 

FMI: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en