“Belgian ambassador will soon visit Olivier Vandecasteele” (Minister Lahbib)

At the end of February, Lahbib had a meeting with her Iranian counterpart in the margins of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. She raised the situation of Olivier Vandecasteele, among other things. The Belgian aid worker has been in an Iranian cell for over a year and was recently sentenced to 40 years in prison and 74 lashes.

Belgium speaks of a mock trial and suspects that Vandecasteele is being held as leverage to get the Iranian mock diplomat Assadollah Assadi released. He is in jail in our country after being convicted of his role in a thwarted terror attack. The MR minister was criticized for contact with her Iranian colleague. But that conversation “does not mean that my values ​​change”, she indicated in the Chamber.

Personal stuff

“It’s more difficult to face and engage in a dialogue with a partner you disagree with than simply denounce it on social media,” said Lahbib. After the bilateral contact, Vandecasteele could also be contacted, the minister said. Personal items could also be transferred to him and Lahbib expects a consular visit in the next few days. Belgian diplomacy on the ground has so far only received permission for this a handful of times.

“Within 30 days”

Lahbib could not say whether Vandecasteele can be released soon because the Constitutional Court has not finally annulled the Iran deal – which should enable an exchange between Vandecasteele and Assadi. “I’m not optimistic or pessimistic, I’m realistic. I work with the current reality and try to get it released as soon as possible.” The MR politician hopes that the decision of the Constitutional Court will allow “quick progress towards the entry into force of the treaty”.

“We asked the ambassador on Monday to exchange instruments of ratification. Once that has happened, the treaty will enter into force within 30 days.”