Belgium summons Iran envoy after aid worker sentenced to 40 years in prison for spying

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ISTANBUL (AA) - Belgian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday it summoned the Iranian ambassador because of reports that Tehran sentenced a Belgian aid worker to 40 years in prison for spying.

"Iran has provided no official information regarding the charges against Olivier Vandecasteele or his trial," the ministry's said in a statement that was shared by Foreign Minister Hanja Lahbib on Twitter. "We will summon the Iranian ambassador today, given the information circulating in the press."

Belgium continues to condemn "this arbitrary detention and is doing everything possible to put an end to it and to improve the conditions of his detention," it said.

Tehran sentenced Vandecasteele to 40 years in prison plus 74 lashes and a fine for spying for the US, money laundering and currency smuggling, according to the Mizan Online newspaper.