Olivier Vandecasteele after returning to Belgium: Let's strive for the freedom of other hostages

Olivier Vandecasteele, the Belgian aid worker who was imprisoned in Iran and exchanged for Assadollah Assadi, expressed gratitude in a letter to those who worked for his release and called for efforts to free other hostages. In a message posted on Twitter on Thursday, June 1, he said: "I have been back in Belgium for five days now. I am doing well. After 15 months of arbitrary detention, I am gradually facing another reality: a beautiful week in my democratic Belgium!" He mentioned that he is being cared for by a medical team, thanked them for their professional support, and added: "Throughout my detention in solitary confinement, I had no direct access to outside information. In prison, (for 13 consecutive months) across borders, miles away from human society, I was far from what all of you had daily access to across the country." The released prisoner stated that "the level of your support deeply affects me," adding: "I am amazed by all your small and large actions that led to my release, through petitions, demonstrations, comments, banners, paintings, cards, and letters." Olivier Vandecasteele wrote: "Gradually, I am receiving statements from friends, colleagues, students, academics, artists, athletes, civil society members, and generally all my Belgian compatriots as well as Europeans who mobilized for my freedom. Your action and the ongoing efforts of the Belgian government made my release possible." He added: "Your support also enabled my family and friends to cope with this storm during this time. I do not know how to express my gratitude to those who endured these conditions for 15 long months." Mr. Vandecasteele expressed a genuine desire to connect with all those who supported him, stating that this "will gradually be possible" and added: "Although slowly, I certainly want to take the time to personally thank everyone who believed in my innocence and restored my freedom." The released prisoner from Iran, who has returned to Belgium, thanked for the "love received since my return" to him and his family, saying: "We feel your endless affection, and this love allows us to quietly and cautiously reunite." He emphasized: "Let us continue efforts for the freedom of other innocent hostages around the world. Let us actively support projects that carry human values, solidarity, and hope. This world, which unfortunately has become more pessimistic than ever, needs this effort more than ever." Olivier Vandecasteele, the aid worker detained in Iran, had been sentenced to 40 years in prison and 74 lashes on charges of "espionage." A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, in response to a question from VOA, described the Iranian regime's action of detaining him as "a glaring and disgusting example of the unjust condemnation of foreign citizens by the Iranian regime to advance political purposes." The spokesperson also stated: "We are glad that the Iranian regime has released the Belgian citizen and he has returned to his family."