Belgium, Iran conduct prisoner swap in Oman, freeing aid worker and diplomat convicted in bomb plot

By JON GAMBRELL and RAF CASERT
Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Belgium and Iran have conducted a rare prisoner exchange in Oman. Officials said on Friday that Tehran released a Belgian aid worker in exchange for an Iranian diplomat convicted of trying to bomb a meeting of exiles in France. The initial announcement by Oman’s Foreign Ministry has not identified the prisoners being swapped. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said in a statement later in the day that the aid worker, Olivier Vandecasteele, has been freed. Iranian state television later has confirmed that the diplomat, Assadollah Assadi, was freed as well. Oman’s Foreign Ministry says “those released were transferred from Tehran and Brussels to Muscat,” Oman’s capital “in preparation for their return to their countries.”