Taking Pictures In A Forbidden Place, This Tourist Is Detained, Charged With Spying By Iran

JAKARTA - Capturing certain moments or locations while on vacation, of course, is something that should not be missed. However, also pay attention to the applicable provisions, so that your photography hobby does not cause problems.

As experienced by French tourist Benjamin Briere. Arrested and detained since 10 months ago, he is now facing serious charges from the Iranian government.

"On Sunday, March 15, he was charged with two counts, espionage and propaganda against the Islamic Republic,"said his lawyer, Saeid Dehghan.

Dehghan said the 35-year-old male tourist was arrested after flying a helicopter in the desert near the Turkmenistan - Iran border. He also faces a long prison sentence.

"His last defense was taken yesterday. He has charged him with spying for taking pictures in a restricted area," continued Dehghan.

The Iranian court declined to comment. Last month, the French Foreign Ministry confirmed they were monitoring the situation of a French national detained in Iran.

“He is in the Vakilabad prison in Mashhad City. His health is good and he has access to a lawyer. He also benefits from consular protection and French embassy officials have regular contact with him," said Dehghan.

Dehghan said his client had been charged with propaganda against the system because of a post on social media. He said, "the headscarf is mandatory in the Islamic Republic of Iran, but not in other Islamic countries".

"My colleagues and I believe that these allegations are false and baseless. However, we will have to wait for the judge to carry out a full investigation in the next few days and announce his verdict," said Dehghan.

A person close to his family told Reuters last month that Briere had traveled to Iran in a van from France.

It is known that Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners in recent years, mostly on charges of espionage.

Human rights activists accuse Iran of arresting dual citizens and foreigners to try to win concessions from other countries. Tehran itself denies detaining people for political reasons, accusing many foreigners of espionage prisons.