Belgium on Sunday called on its nationals “passing through Iran” to leave the country “as soon as possible” because of “increased risks of arbitrary detention” after the conviction of humanitarian Olivier Vadecasteele. “Any Belgian visitor, including binationals, is exposed to a high risk of arrest, arbitrary detention and unfair trial. This risk also concerns people making a simple tourist stay in Iran, ”warned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press release.
Two hundred Belgian nationals were registered by the Belgian consular services in Iran this summer. “In the event of arrest or detention, respect for fundamental rights and personal security are not guaranteed. In this context, the capacity of the Belgian embassy in Tehran to provide consular protection for nationals arrested or detained in Iran is very limited,” the ministry explained.
Arm wrestling around Olivier Vandecasteele
“Belgian nationals who, despite this warning, are currently in Iran, are invited to show the greatest vigilance and to take the necessary precautions to ensure their safety. Recently, a Belgian national and several other Westerners were arbitrarily arrested and are now imprisoned in Iran,” the ministry said.
A Belgian humanitarian, Olivier Vandecasteele, held in solitary confinement in Iran since his arrest on February 24, was sentenced to 28 years in prison. According to his family, he was arrested for no reason and no indication has been provided by the Iranian authorities on the charges against him. A showdown has pitted Belgium and Iran since the arrest of an Iranian diplomat, Assadollah Assadi, sentenced in Belgium in 2021 to 20 years in prison for a planned “terrorist” attack against the Iranian opposition.