Belgian justice minister vows to bring aid worker back from Iran

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ISTANBUL (AA) - Belgium's justice minister vowed Sunday to bring an aid worker back from Iran who has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for spying and other crimes.

"We will do everything to get the man back in accordance with the principles of the rule of law, and we will succeed," Vincent Van Quickenborne told a debate program on Belgian broadcaster VRT.

"This is my firm commitment and that of all my colleagues in government," Quickenborne said, without providing further details about when and how that would occur.

Tehran sentenced Olivier Vandecasteele to 40 years in prison plus 74 lashes and a fine for spying for the US, money laundering and currency smuggling, according to a report last week by the Mizan Online news agency.