“Vandecasteele no longer in complete isolation, but detention conditions have deteriorated”

He said that he is no longer in complete isolation, but that his detention conditions have worsened, the family reports in a press release.

“The contact with two other prisoners makes his confinement a little bit more bearable, but his detention conditions have further deteriorated,” his family said. “He no longer has a mattress, he is only served cold food that is of very poor quality and Olivier still does not receive any treatment for his legs, which means that he can hardly stand upright and can hardly sleep.”

News agencies Reuters and Bloomberg reported on Wednesday morning, based on a statement from the Iranian court, about an impending prisoner exchange with Assadolah Assadi, the Iranian dummy diplomat who is in jail in our country for his role in plotting a terrorist attack on the Iranian opposition in Paris. That rumor seemed to point in the direction of an exchange with Vandecasteele.

“Life on the Stake”

Federal Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne denied that report and said the announcement was intended “to sow confusion”.

That announcement was painful for the family. “Not only do Olivier’s family and loved ones have to live with the horror of the torture that Olivier has been subjected to for the past 14 months, but they are now also confronted with the shameless spreading of false news,” the statement said.

The family continues to rely on the Belgian government “to reach an immediate agreement” with the Iranian government. “Olivier’s life is at stake,” the family said.