Nathalie Vandegastiel on her brother: “From a psychological point of view, it will be very difficult”

And to continue. “He has a hernia and inflammation so he will have to do physio. According to doctors, this should resolve within two to three months. From a psychological point of view, it can be very difficult. But he is also followed, there was already a psychologist on the return flight, who is in charge of the security psychological support team. She calls him once or twice a day. So he will be close, and we hope that soon the nightmare will be behind us.

Olivier Vandecasteele addresses Belgians during 20km Brussels: “Your support makes me cry every day”

Olivier’s sister also recalled the moment she learned her brother was finally going to be released, ending a nightmare that had lasted more than a year. “The dream of one day holding him back in our arms suddenly came true. And that too simply enjoying this heat and looking at it, still in good health and in good condition. Of course it was three times, ten times harder for him than for us, because he was the one living in this prison under these inhumane conditions..”. Nathalie reveals some of the details of the conditions the 42-year-old man endured. “Each prisoner gets only three blankets to sleep on, no mattress”.

Before thanking, with tears, the Belgian citizens for the support shown during these many months. “We want to thank you all, thank you for your humanity, thank you for your response to the mobilization and the awareness that we asked for, because we thank you all for returning Olivier to us. He is very grateful to you and so are we”.

Oliver Vandecastel meets the King at the Royal Palace in Laeken (photos)