Iran: Iran and Belgium have freed an aid worker and a diplomat imprisoned in each other’s countries, respectively, in a deal facilitated by Oman.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mr. Hossein Amirabdollahian noted that Iranian diplomat Mr. Assadollah Assadi was heading back home, while Belgium’s Prime Minister Mr. Alexander De Croo stated that worker Olivier Vandecasteele was also due to arrive in Belgium. Earlier, the Omani foreign ministry stated that the freed individuals were transported from Brussels and Tehran to its capital, Muscat, in preparation for their return to their respective countries.

Mr. Amirabdollahian thanked Oman for its role in securing the release of Mr. Assadi.

“The innocent diplomat of our country, who was illegally detained in Germany and Belgium for more than two years against international law, is now on his way back to his homeland,” the Minister wrote on Twitter.

In January 2023, Iran sentenced Mr. Vandecasteele to 40 years in prison and 74 lashes after convicting him of espionage in a closed-door trial.

Mr. Vandecasteele had worked for a number of humanitarian organisations. The Belgian government and his family had vehemently denied Iran’s claims that he was a spy.

“Olivier spent 455 days in prison in Tehran. In unbearable conditions. Innocent,” Mr. De Croo commented, describing the aid worker’s return to Belgium as “a relief for his family, friends, and colleagues”.

In 2021, Belgium convicted Mr. Assadi of planning a thwarted bomb attack against an exiled Iranian opposition group in France. The courts sentenced him to 20 years in prison.

Belgian intelligence identified him as an officer of Iran’s intelligence and security ministry who operated undercover at the Iranian Embassy in Austria. Iran has denied Mr. Assadi’s involvement.

Iran has detained a number of foreigners and dual nationals over the years, accusing them of espionage or other state security offences.

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