Iran Press/ Iran news: Islamic Republic's judiciary convicted a Belgian citizen who has been jailed in the country for nearly one year and has been sentenced to a total of 40 years in prison and dozens of lashes on four charges including espionage, Money laundering, and currency smuggling.
Tehran Islamic Revolution Court sentenced Olivier Vandecasteele to 12.5 years in prison for espionage, 12.5 years for espionage for the US as the hostile country and 12.5 years for money laundering, the judiciary’s Mizan Online website said on January 10.
On Wednesday, Iran's Judiciary spokesman Masoud Setayeshi, in his weekly press briefing said that "There is no parole for the crime of espionage and a preliminary sentence has been issued for the Belgian citizen, Olivier Vandecasteele.
Vandecasteele 41-year-old was also fined $1 million and sentenced to 2.5 years and 74 lashes for currency smuggling.
Under Iranian law, Vandecasteele would be eligible for release after 12.5 years, Iran's judiciary news website Mizan said, adding that the verdicts can be appealed.
Iraqi government seriously follows the assassination of Martyr Soleimani
The spokesman of the judiciary said: "There is no doubt in the prosecution of the perpetrators and leaders of this crime, Iraqi government, with the Islamic Republic of Iran, are pursuing the case in international forums."
Masoud Setayeshi, the spokesman of the judiciary in response to Iran Press's question, emphasized: The assassination of Martyr Soleimani was not just a murder, but a crime against the country's national security, and it will be investigated as such.
Setayeshi added: The main culprit is the one who ordered this crime and he should be prosecuted. In this regard, an arrest warrant has been issued for the former President of the United States.
He went on to say that Since the international organizations have also condemned this crime as a violation of human rights, every person in every position will be tried in this regard.
In the continuation of this press conference and in response to a question about the latest status of the Belgian citizen, Oliver Van Kastier, who was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison, Setayeshi said: The Islamic Republic of Iran has no tolerance for the crime of espionage, and the preliminary sentence of this Belgian citizen has been issued.
In response to a question about the recent riots and the incident known as "Zahedan's Black Friday", Setayeshi said: "A special investigator has been assigned to the case of Zahedan's Black Friday. The culprits have appeared for investigation and a temporary arrest order has been issued." This case is under further investigation.
Also, in response to a question about the legal cases of Mehdi Taj, the head of the football federation, the spokesman of the judiciary said: There are two cases of Mehdi Taj in the Revolution General Prosecutor's Office under the title of damage to public property. There are ambiguities in 10 paragraphs so it has been referred to again.
Later about the arrest of one of the leaders of the Anti-Iran TV known as "Iran International network", he noted: The person was the leader of the disturbing gangs and was in online communication with the TV and was receiving messages from them. Also, this person was in contact with various spy services. Also, deposits to this person have been traced from England and America.
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