Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Iranian foreign minister, confirmed on Twitter that Assadollah Assadi has been released.
Assadollah Assadi, an Iranian diplomat, was imprisoned in our country after he was convicted of his role in a foiled terror attack in Paris. Iran had asked for his release in exchange for Belgian Olivier Vandecasteele, who was in a cell in Tehran. Vandecasteele, in turn, is on his way to Belgium. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo also announced this on Twitter on Friday. He posted a photo of the Belgian with the words: “Finally free. Finally avec Nous”.
“Mr Assadollah Assadi, the innocent diplomat of our country, illegally detained in Germany and Belgium for more than two years in violation of international law, is now on his way back to his homeland and will soon enter our beloved Iran,” writes the Iranian minister. “I thank the Sultanate of Oman for its positive efforts in this direction.”
Oman also posted an official response on Twitter: “Oman’s efforts have led to an agreement between both parties for an exchange. Those released were taken from Tehran and Brussels to Muscat today in preparation for their return to their home countries. The Sultanate of Oman appreciates the positive atmosphere that prevailed in the talks between the Iranian and Belgian sides in Muscat and the will of both sides to solve this humanitarian problem.”