Vandecasteele case: Minister Lahbib met with Iranian counterpart

Belgian aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele has been imprisoned in an Iranian cell since February 24, 2022. Belgium is trying to get his release. A treaty with Iran on the transfer of prisoners has been suspended by the Constitutional Court. The verdict on the merits is expected within a few days, in principle on March 8.

The case of the Belgian prisoner, who was sentenced to 40 years in prison and 74 lashes after a mock trial and is being held in degrading conditions, was discussed at the meeting, the Belgian minister confirmed.

“Olivier Vandecasteele must be reunited with his family asap. His arbitrary detention in inhumane conditions must end. I also spoke about human rights and our opposition to the death penalty,” Minister Lahbib said in a tweet.

Swap with fake diplomat

If the treaty is not annulled by the Constitutional Court, the Belgian prisoner could be exchanged with the Iranian dummy diplomat Assadolah Assadi. This terrorist agent of the Iranian regime has been sentenced to 20 years in prison in Belgium for planning an attack on an Iranian opposition meeting in France.

Read all about Olivier Vandecasteele here