The father of Irish man Bernard Phelan, who has been held in prison in Iran for the last six months, has made a plea for his son's release.
Mr Phelan has been accused of "providing information to an enemy country" by Iranian authorities, which he and his family deny.
Last month, a judge in Iran sentenced him to three-and-a-half years, but said he would be pardoned on humanitarian grounds.
However, a week later, his family said, he was back in court and his sentence was increased to six-and-a-half years and was told he would not be pardoned.
His father Vincent said he is desperate to see his son again before he dies.
"I'm very worried about him because my life is still very short. I'm 97 and I'd like to see Bernard and have him with me before pass away," he said.
"I miss him terribly, sometimes I cry at night when I think of Bernard."
Around 100 people gathered outside the Iranian Embassy in Dublin today to hand a letter to authorities calling for Mr Phelan’s immediate release.
The 64-year-old Franco-Irish citizen's supporters, including his sister Caroline Phelan, say his health is now failing.
"Bernard's health is declining so fast. All of his family and friends are here today to plea with the Iranians to let him go," Ms Phelan said.
"It's a question of days. His health is so bad he has to be released."
Vincent Phelan handed in the letter to the embassy calling for him to be freed.
His friends then left 178 flowers at the gates. Each one representing every day he has been held.
Efforts by the French and Irish authorities to get Mr Phelan released have not been successful.
