Olivier Vandecasteele officially charged by Iran for espionage

Iran has charged “a Belgian” with espionage and obstruction of the country’s national security. The spokesman for the Iranian judiciary said this on Tuesday, according to news channel al Arabiya.

According to Foreign Affairs, it would concern aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele from Oostduinkerke. Since they only know about one Belgian prisoner.

“Sham Trial”

Vandecasteele has been detained in an Iranian cell since February and was sentenced to 28 years in prison at the end of last year. He and his family speak of a mock trial, because they were not aware of why he was in prison.

It has not yet been officially confirmed that Vandecasteele is effectively the Belgian charged by Iran.

Hunger strike

Olivier has been on hunger strike for a month and a half. On Christmas Eve he was able to make video calls with his family. According to them, he has lost 20 kg, has a serious foot infection and is not getting warm clothes.

His sister appealed to our editors to get him released: