Belgium provisionally clears contentious Iran prisoner swap treaty

Supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) take part in a protest, in Brussels, Belgium July 6, 2022. The banner reads "Shameful deal". REUTERS/Yves Herman

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgian lawmakers gave initial clearance on Wednesday to a prisoner exchange treaty with Iran that could lead to the release of an Iranian diplomat convicted of planning to bomb a rally of an exiled opposition group.

The foreign relations committee of Belgium's lower house debated the treaty for more than six hours over two days before finally approving it.