No freedom for child-killer’s accomplice

Two women hold pictures of Julie Lejeune and Melissa Russo, two victims of child rapist Marc Dutroux, during a protest outside the Palace of Justice in Brussels on May 10, 2011.

Two women hold pictures of Julie Lejeune and Melissa Russo, two victims of child rapist Marc Dutroux, during a protest outside the Palace of Justice in Brussels on May 10, 2011.

Published Sep 22, 2011

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Mons, Belgium - A Belgian court on Thursday refused to free Michelle Martin, ex-wife and accomplice of notorious paedophile killer Marc Dutroux, serving life for the kidnap, rape and murder of several girls.

Martin was granted release on parole in May after serving only half a 30-year sentence but could not walk free until judicial authorities had approved the terms of her social reinsertion.

The decision to free the 51-year-old after 15 years in jail had triggered an outcry in Belgium.

On Thursday, a court in this southern Belgian town ruled Martin's plans for social reinsertion unacceptable and revised the May parole.

Martin was convicted of helping Dutroux hold victims prisoner and of starving two young girls to death. He is behind bars for life for the kidnap and rape of six girls, four of whom died in captivity.

In May, she had hoped to transfer to a convent in France, but the convent refused shelter and her request was turned down and release suspended. - Sapa-AFP

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