Although the Constitutional Court gave the green light to a possible exchange of prisoners at the beginning of March, his situation has not improved.
After a brief telephone conversation with his family, the representative of the Belgian embassy in Iran was able to visit Vandecasteele under the surveillance of several guards. This interview lasted approximately 20 minutes and was again filmed in its entirety.
Vandecasteele has been in total isolation in an Iranian cell for 384 days. The miserable conditions are physically devastating, but also “the absence of any prospect of his possible return to Belgium weighs heavily,” the family wrote in a press release. Nevertheless, he came across as “combative”.
During the interview, the family was able to inform Olivier of the significant wave of support he receives from the Belgian and European population. Indeed, more than 315,000 people have signed the petition for his release. “He was very moved by it and it gave him visible courage,” they say. “He warmly thanked the people for their many initiatives.
The Constitutional Court ruled a fortnight ago that the Iran deal did not violate the Constitution. This is good news for Mr. Vandecasteele, even if demonstrations against the agreement are also taking place in our country, for fear of an exchange for an Iranian convicted for his role in a foiled attack.