“It’s important, whether at Belgian or European level, that the intervention takes place directly with the Iranian authorities. The first concern today, following such a dramatic conviction, is obviously to ensure that the conditions of detention are correct. You have seen that there were in particular sentences of physical punishment, lashes, it is obviously necessary to prevent this from taking place. I had the opportunity in the past to be confronted with this situation, with Saudi Arabia, and we had already obtained in a first step to stop at least any behavior of physical violence towards a detainee Belgian. I believe this is the first step and then to do everything to move towards liberation.”
”There are obviously a lot of formulas to go towards this liberation”Reynders continued. “We saw it once more recently. Sometimes it is in dramatic situations, exchanges that can take place. We talk regarding it for Belgium, but remember this basketball player in the United States who was imprisoned in Russia and then, one day we learn that she is coming back because there was an exchange with a trafficker of weapons held in the United States.”
Didier Reynders then explained the importance of direct contact with the Iranian authorities. For the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hadja Lahbib must go there. “In cases like this, you have to use every opportunity. It’s very important to be there and establish face-to-face contact. Besides, it’s necessary to show the interest of the people who support this approach. Demonstrations and petitions are important elements.”
