Tehran (IP)- Islamic Republic's judiciary says a Belgian citizen who has been jailed in the country for nearly one year 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.

Iran PressIran News: 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.

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, Mizan said, adding that the verdicts can be appealed.

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