Iran has released Belgian aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele after more than a year. The Belgian was held in an Iranian cell on suspicion of espionage. According to Belgian media, Vandecasteele has been exchanged for an Iranian prisoner.
Vandecasteele was transferred to Oman on Thursday evening, where he was received by Belgian soldiers and diplomats. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo reports this in a video message. After expectations, Vandecasteele will arrive in Belgium on Friday evening.
“Finally free,” says De Croo. “This morning he underwent a number of medical tests to ensure that he can return in the best possible way.”
Vandecasteele was sentenced by Iran to forty years in prison and 74 lashes for spying, conspiracy and money laundering. The aid worker himself denied all allegations and the Belgian authorities already spoke of an “arbitrary detention”.
The health of the Belgian aid worker deteriorated sharply in the cell. His family informed Belgian media that he was not getting enough food and indicated that he suffered from muscle and nerve pain.
His release is part of a prisoner exchange with the Iranian Assadollah Assadi, report Belgian media. The diplomat was sentenced to twenty years in prison for terrorism.
2023-05-26 09:56:43
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