A Belgian man serving a life sentence for rape and murder will be allowed to have doctors end his life, after a landmark ruling.
Unable to control his violent sexual urges, Frank Van Den Bleeken, who is 50, argued he would never be freed.
The decision follows a three-year legal battle by the prisoner, who was convicted in the 1980s.
The ruling is the first involving a prisoner since the assisted dying law was introduced in Belgium 12 years ago.
Van Den Bleeken will soon be transferred to a hospital where the medical procedure will take place, his lawyers told reporters.
"But I cannot say when or where that will happen," Jos Vander Velpen added.
Die 'with dignity'Van Den Bleeken first requested euthanasia in 2011, citing "unbearable psychological anguish", but Belgium's Federal Euthanasia Commission wanted to consider every possible treatment option, before consenting to such a measure.
The European Court of Human Rights has criticised Belgium several times for its failure to properly treat mentally ill prisoners, the BBC's Piers Scholfield reports.
Belgium's euthanasia laws hit the headlines earlier this year when they were extended to cover children who are terminally ill.
Belgian murderer wins 'right to die'
Put the internet to work for you.
0 comments:
Post a Comment