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Iran: 40 years imprisonment - The story of Olivier Vandecasteele
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Olivier Vandecasteele is a Belgian development worker who has worked abroad for many years. During a trip to Iran in February 2022, he was suddenly arrested – completely arbitrarily. He was held for a time in Tehran's notorious Evin prison before being transferred to an undisclosed location.
Trigger warning - drastic representation:
In brief and infrequent phone calls to his family, Olivier Vandecasteele said he is being held in solitary confinement in a windowless basement cell. Bright light burns around the clock. Since his arrest, he has lost 25 kilos, according to his relatives. His toenails fell out and blood blisters formed. He does not receive proper medical treatment.
His unfair trial in November 2022 only lasted 30 minutes. The verdict, according to Iranian state media: 40 years in prison, 74 lashes and a fine. The court found him guilty of, among other things, "espionage for foreign secret services" as well as "collaboration with a hostile government [USA]", "money laundering" and "commercial money smuggling". There are strong indications that Olivier is being held hostage by the Iranian government in a possible prisoner swap.
With our Urgent Action to the Iranian authorities we demand Olivier Vandecasteele's release. You can sign here:
https://www.amnesty.de/mitmachen/urgent-action/iran-olivier-vandecasteele-belgier-willkuerlich-zu-40-jahren-haft-verurteilt-2023-02-27
More about our Iran work and other Urgent Actions for people who are unjustly imprisoned in Iran:
https://www.amnesty.de/jina
Note: We advise all persons with personal connections to Iran to consider participation. This letter will be sent to the addressee in the country with your first and last name and email address.
#Iran #Human Rights #AmnestyInternational #UrgentAction
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