LBCI

Iran open to prisoner swap with Belgium

Middle East

06-03-2023 | 10:38

Share

Share

Iran open to prisoner swap with Belgium

2^min

Iran said on Monday that it was open to a prisoner swap with Belgium after the latter's Constitutional Court upheld an exchange treaty in a case that could see a convicted Iranian diplomat switched for a jailed Belgian aid worker.

Aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele was arrested on a visit to Iran in February 2022 and sentenced in January to 40 years in prison and 74 lashes on charges including spying.

Brussels called that retribution for a 20-year jail term given to Iranian diplomat Assadollah Assadi in 2021 over a foiled bomb plot in the first trial of an Iranian official for suspected terrorism in Europe since Iran's 1979 revolution.

An Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson said the way was now open to execute the prisoner exchange pact. "With the recent development, we hope to see an opening in connection with the case of this diplomat," the spokesperson said.

Belgian lawmakers cleared the treaty in July but it was held up by legal challenges from an exiled Iranian opposition group.

Iran

Open

Prisoner

Swap

Belgium

Arrest

Spying

Governments

Politics

Aid

Worker

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Berri: Lebanon included in US-Iran ceasefire, Israel must comply

2026-04-08

Berri: Lebanon included in US-Iran ceasefire, Israel must comply

Lebanese Army chief to meet senior US lawmakers during Washington visit: Sources to LBCI

2026-02-01

Lebanese Army chief to meet senior US lawmakers during Washington visit: Sources to LBCI

Denmark 'very satisfied' with Spain's response to Ceuta incident

2026-08-04

Denmark 'very satisfied' with Spain's response to Ceuta incident

Israeli army warns residents of south of Zahrani River to head north

2026-03-31

Israeli army warns residents of south of Zahrani River to head north

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

LBCI sources: Lebanon to hand former Syrian General Adel Issa to Syrian judiciary

1

LBCI sources: Lebanon to hand former Syrian General Adel Issa to Syrian judiciary

Rain in August? Sudden weather shift surprises Lebanon: Video

2

Rain in August? Sudden weather shift surprises Lebanon: Video

Walla: Israeli military strikes Ali al-Taher heights in southern Lebanon

3

Walla: Israeli military strikes Ali al-Taher heights in southern Lebanon

Wanted for war crimes: Why was retired Syrian Gen. Adel Issa detained in Beirut?

4

Wanted for war crimes: Why was retired Syrian Gen. Adel Issa detained in Beirut?

Diplomacy vs. escalation: Southern Lebanon enters a critical new phase

5

Diplomacy vs. escalation: Southern Lebanon enters a critical new phase

Human Rights Watch urges UN to maintain peacekeeping force in South Lebanon

6

Human Rights Watch urges UN to maintain peacekeeping force in South Lebanon

Etna eruption extends closure of Sicily's Catania airport until Saturday

7

Etna eruption extends closure of Sicily's Catania airport until Saturday

Waste crisis or new tax? Lebanon’s environmental fee raises questions

8

Waste crisis or new tax? Lebanon’s environmental fee raises questions

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More