The Iranian authorities are mounting pressure on the Belgian government to exchange a diplomat sentenced to 20 years in prison for the aid worker.
By Philippe de Boeck
Lhe fate of Olivier Vandecasteele (41), imprisoned in Iran since February 18, continues to worry his relatives in the absence of notification of the verdict and the specific charges against him.
On Tuesday, we learned from unofficial sources that his 28-year prison sentence for “espionage for the benefit of a foreign intelligence service” announced on December 14 was increased by other charges (“smuggling” and “laundering money”), rising to 40 years in prison, as well as other penalties including 74 lashes and a fine of half a million dollars.
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