"Belgian MP Sophie Rohonyi criticizes Iran's release conditions for humanitarian Olivier Vandecasteele"

2023-06-01 06:31:00

Sophie Rohonyi was the guest of Bel RTL morning this Thursday, June 1. Federal MP Défi (Independent Federalist Democrat) denounced the conditions for the release of Belgian humanitarian Olivier Vandecasteele.

Questioned this Thursday morning at the microphone of Antonio Solimando, Sophie Rohonyi returned to the release of Olivier Vandecasteele. If the federal deputy Défi is delighted with this return, she still mentions “some discomfort”. “A malaise to see that Belgium has given in to the odious blackmail which was perpetrated by Iran, Iran which made it live through hell by delivering in exchange a terrorist, Mr Assadi, sentenced in Belgium to 20 years in prison “which was “welcomed like a hero when arriving in Tehran”she says.

Sophie Rohonyi fears that this release will be an open door, a “money change” in front of “a regime that knows only the law of the strongest”.

The deputy evokes her many requests to the federal government to seek other means of repatriating Olivier Vandecasteele. “We had diplomatic, economic and political leverage over Iran”she says.
The elected representative is now calling for the repeal of the transfer treaty negotiated with Iran, which, moreover, was not the solution used for the release of the Belgian humanitarian, in favor of article 176 of the Constitution. “This treaty poses a threat to our nationals today (…) It sends a signal to Iran that in the future it will be able to take one of our nationals hostage in exchange for absolutely what that he wants.”

Sophie Rohonyi also recalls that there is Today “about fifteen innocent European nationals who are hostages of the Iranian government”including VUB professor Ahmedreza Djalali sentenced to death 7 years ago for espionage. “We must be able to ensure the release of all these innocent people.”