40 years in prison and 74 lashes. Olivier Vandecasteele himself confirmed to his family the sentence that the Iranian authorities imposed on him, during a video call of about fifteen minutes, on January 20.
Only the fourth call in almost a year. The Belgian humanitarian has been detained in Tehran since February 24 in extremely harsh conditions. Each time, her family was notified within an hour that she was going to receive a call. “A private number is displayed on the phone screen“, explains Olivier Van Steirtegem, spokesperson for the family. “He appears alone, but we guess that he is surrounded by several people“.
“This time, Olivier appeared even more weakened”, still describes his close friend. “Learning the weight of this sentence has a psychological impact. He is obviously afraid of it”.
Psychological impact, in addition to physical degradation. Held in complete isolation in the cold, Olivier Vandecasteele suffers from serious health problems. During a previous discussion on October 9, he had already appeared very thin. The photo, made public, has since been widely circulated.
“Olivier spent the last 16 days in detention without seeing a face.. The dishes provided to him passed through a slot at the bottom of the dungeon door. And while he suffers from problems gastric and dental, he did not receive any new medical care“.
A costume that challenges
Olivier Vandecasteele wore a suit this time. This appeals to those around him. “We don’t know what that means“, reacts Olivier Van Steirtegem. “It is not a warm garment, but it makes the person more dignified“. The Belgian humanitarian has been asking for warmer clothes since December.
This costume raises concerns about a possible staging of Olivier Vandecasteele, by the Iranian authorities. “Last December, Olivier explained to us that he had to replay his trial. further explains the spokesperson for the family, “but this time with his hands and feet restrained by chains. All of this had been filmed by several cameramen “.
The video exchange took place in the presence of guards, the Belgian ambassador to Iran who was notified – also – an hour before, and a cameraman. “We hope that there will be no staging likely to make the situation more complicated for him, his family and those close to him.“, ends the friend of the family, before adding: “We feel the deep despair of Olivier. It’s as if he had given up on his request for release. He insists above all on the cold and the isolation from which he suffers“.
Olivier Vandecasteele was sentenced to 40 years in prison and 74 lashes after a show trial, without access to lawyers of his choice.