Belgium requests transfer of citizen from Iran

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - Belgium has requested the transfer of its citizen who is under detention in Iran, the foreign minister said on Tuesday.

"Yesterday, I announced to my counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian that Belgium would submit a transfer request for our compatriot Olivier Vandecasteele today," Hadja Lahbib said on Twitter

"I denounced his conditions of detention and requested a visit of our ambassador in Iran," Lahbib added.

Tehran sentenced Vandecasteele in January to 40 years in prison plus 74 lashes and a fine for spying for the US, money laundering and currency smuggling. Vandecasteele was arrested on Feb. 24.

Iran has detained a number of foreigners and dual nationals over the years, accusing them of espionage or other offenses and sentencing them after trials rights group say are secretive and lack due process.