Belgians protest against early release of wife of child-killer Marc Dutroux
About 2,000 Belgians have taken to the streets to protest against the possible early release from prison of the ex-wife and accomplice of child murderer Marc Dutroux and demand tougher rules on freeing convicts.
A court ruled in July that Michelle Martin would be able to live in a convent now that she has served 16 years of her 30-year sentence - outraging a nation that was horrified by the crimes committed by the woman and her ex-husband.
Dutroux was found guilty of kidnapping and raping six girls in the mid-1990s. He killed two of them and left two others to starve to death in a makeshift dungeon. Martin was convicted of helping him.
The demonstrators braved scorching temperatures in Brussels on Sunday, some holding up signs calling on Martin to remain behind bars.
"We want a fundamental reform of the justice system … and more place for the victim [in judicial decisions]," Jean-Denis Lejeune, the father of one of the victims, said at the rally.
Martin's release is currently on hold pending an appeal by prosecutors.
Lejeune issued a list of proposals, including tighter control of prisoners granted early release and more careful review of such cases. Under current Belgian law, criminals are eligible for release after serving a third of their sentences, so long as they meet certain conditions.
Magistrates oppose Lejeune's proposals, and have defended the current system.
Martin's possible release has already sparked protests in the village of Malonne, location of the Clarisse Convent where she is scheduled to live.
Psychiatrists have said Martin is unlikely to reoffend. A judgment on the prosecutors' appeal is expected on August 28.
