Family locked up Olivier Vandecasteele fears for his health: “He even loses his nails”
The NGO employee from Oostduinkerke has been held in an Iranian cell since February. According to his family, he is innocent and suffers enormously in jail. Olivier was finally able to talk to his family during a video call last Monday. “It was an intense and emotional moment, both for himself and for us,” said his family.
“Shocked by his condition”
“We were really looking forward to this conversation, but afterwards we were especially shocked to see him, our brother, son and friend, in such a state.” Vandecasteele has been in isolation in an Iranian cell for six months now. He is visibly emaciated and his health is deteriorating. “His condition is worrying. Despite treatment, he still suffers from severe foot infections and the doctor has said he will lose more nails.”
The family says that to this day they do not know exactly in which cell Olivier is being held. “What we do know is that it is an underground cell without windows with only a ventilation hole in the wall. It has a mattress, a chair, a table and a book. The only thing he looks forward to is half an hour of fresh air every day on a small concrete courtyard less than five meters long.”
Mentally through
“Olivier is at the end of his strength and told us that he is mentally completely through. Without a view on the timing of his release, he cannot continue in such conditions.” The family insists that urgent work be done to improve living conditions.
In the meantime, there is already an Iran deal between our country and Iran. That should make it possible to exchange an Iranian prisoner in a Belgian prison with the release of Olivier Vandecasteele.