Iran sentences Belgian to 40 years -- and 74 lashes -- for espionage

Aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele was sentenced on four charges, including spying on Iran, cooperating with the United States against Iran, currency smuggling, and money laundering, Tasnim reported, adding that he could appeal the verdict.

Vandecasteele has denied all the charges.

Belgium’s Justice Minister in December said Vandecasteele was in prison “for a fabricated series of crimes” and had been sentenced as retribution for a 20-year jail sentence Belgian courts imposed on an Iranian diplomat in 2021.