Expatica news

Belgian news in brief, 25 October 2005

Extra help for earthquake victims

Belgium has donated an extra EUR 1 million to assist the victims of the earthquake in Pakistan. Belgian aid now amounts to EUR 2,035 million, Overseas Development Minister Armand de Decker said. Meanwhile, the Belgian earthquake medical team, B-Fast, returned home from the disaster area on Sunday. It was operational for 10 days.

Serial killer still held in Belgium

Confessed French serial killer Michel Fourniret will be handed over to French authorities next month. It was planned to deliver Fourniret to the French judiciary earlier this month, but the handover was delayed due to new procedural questions raised by the suspect. Fourniret and his wife, Monique Olivier, are currently being held in Belgium and will stand trial in France for the murder of at least seven young girls.

Counting the cost of prison strike

Industrial peace has continues at Antwerp prison after guards voted to return work on Sunday after four weeks of strike action. An agreement with Justice Minister Laurette Onkelinx allowed guards to cut duties when staff attendance drops to 247 from the maximum 260. Onkelinx also promised to provide 20 extra guards, but demanded that prisoner visitation rights be maintained at all times.

Six months jail for wearing fake Rolex

Dendermonde Court has sentenced the 33-year-old Gunther R., of Aalst, to six months jail and a EUR 1,000 fine for wearing a fake Rolex watch. R. wore the watch twice and Rolex lodged a complaint. The defendant was prosecuted for breaching the registered brand name law. The judge ruled that R. knew that he bought a fake and that making fake brand name watches is a crime. Whoever buys an illegal good is guilty of handling stolen goods.

[Copyright Expatica News 2005]

Subject: Belgian news