"Our country will succeed in bringing Olivier Vandecasteele back from Iran," said Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne (Open VLD) on Sunday.
"We will do everything to get the man back, in accordance with the principles of the rule of law, and we will succeed. This is my firm commitment and that of all my colleagues in government,” Van Quickenborne said on Sunday in De Zevende Dag on VRT.
However, the minister would not give a concrete timetable.
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On 24 February, Olivier Vandecasteele was arrested by the Iranian authorities. The NGO worker has been held in appalling conditions ever since.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Mr Vandecasteele was sentenced to 40 years in prison. He was also sentenced to a physical punishment of 74 lashes. Officially, he is accused of espionage.
"This has nothing to do with the rule of law," Van Quickenborne added.
