Sf this 24 February the whole world is looking towards Ukraine on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Russian aggression, this date also marks another sad anniversary, which concerns Belgium more intimately.
This Friday, it is indeed just a year since the Belgian humanitarian Olivier Vandecasteele was arrested in Iran, becoming despite himself the subject of a diplomatico-judicial showdown between Brussels and Tehran. After working for six years in Iran where he cared for Afghan refugees on behalf of various NGOs, Olivier Vandecasteele was arrested there on February 24, 2022 as he was preparing to leave the country for good.
Accused of espionage by the Iranian regime, the Belgian was sentenced there a few weeks ago to 40 years in prison and 74 lashes during a trial where he could not have a lawyer of his choice. Detained in complete isolation, malnourished, with only sporadic access to care, Olivier Vandecasteele has since suffered from serious health problems, according to the support committee that was formed to obtain his release.
His detention and conviction gave rise to a major wave of mobilization in Belgium, his face having appeared on several official buildings. On Sunday, to denounce this year of arbitrary detention, several rallies are planned in five Belgian cities (Brussels, Tournai, Namur, Ghent and Louvain) as well as in Lyon (France).
His fate is linked to that of Assadollah Assadi
Reluctantly, the Belgian actually finds himself the toy of the “hostage diplomacy” practiced regularly by Iran. His fate is indeed linked to that of Assadollah Assadi, an Iranian agent sentenced in 2021 to 20 years in prison by Belgian justice for a plan to attack (foiled) against the Iranian opposition planned for 2018 in Villepinte, France. .
Belgium hoped to be able to take advantage of a detainee transfer treaty negotiated with Iran to obtain the release of Olivier Vandecasteele, but the text was challenged in court by the Iranian opposition, which opposes the return to freedom of the Iranian agent, considered a terrorist.
Temporarily suspended last December, this transfer treaty is still under review by the Constitutional Court, which heard the parties again last week. If the high court were to validate the treaty, it could then reopen the way to an exchange of prisoners, and the long-awaited return of the Belgian humanitarian to the country. The judgment of the Constitutional Court is expected on March 8.
