Belgian murderer Van Den Bleeken wins 'right to die'

[muriel_volestrangler]

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.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29209459

An interesting situation. No death penalty there, of course.

[Cayenne]

1. Assisted suicide for lifers

I never excepted the notion that the death penalty was, out of hand, cruel. Prison is cruel, particularly long, life ending sentences.