Belgium’s Foreign Ministry called on citizens visiting Iran to leave as soon as possible because of the risks of arrest after Belgian humanitarian worker Olivier Vandecasteele, was sentenced to prison there.
"Any Belgian visitor, even a dual national, exposes himself to the risk of arrest and detention, and this risk also includes individuals who only make a tourist visit to Iran,” the ministry said in a statement.
The Belgian consular services recorded the presence of two hundred Belgian citizens in Iran this summer.
The ministry added that in the event of arrest or detention, respect for basic rights and the safety of persons is not guaranteed. The ability of the Belgian embassy in Tehran to guarantee consular protection for arrested or detained citizens is limited.
The situation has been tense between Belgium and Iran since the arrest of the Iranian diplomat, Asadollah Asadi, who was sentenced in Belgium in 2021 to twenty years in prison.
Since Asadi’s arrest on February 24, Belgian humanitarian worker Vandecasteele has been sentenced to 28 years in prison.
His family stated that he was arrested without reason, and no indication was issued by the Iranian authorities as to what charges were leveled against him.
On Thursday, the Belgian Constitutional Court suspended a convict exchange treaty between Belgium and Iran that was approved by parliament in July to facilitate the return of the humanitarian worker.
Follow the latest news on Google News
