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DR Congo trial begins for Belgian accused of child rape

A Belgian man arrested in the Democratic Republic of Congo over the alleged rape of two girls went on trial on Friday, a government source told AFP.

“The trial began today (Friday) in a civil court” in Kinshasa, a source at the gender, family affairs and children’s ministry said on condition of anonymity.

Francis Belliz, 74, is accused of raping two Congolese girls, aged 11 and 13.

Under DR Congo law, the divorced father of three, who according to police has been living in the country illegally since 2011, faces between five and 20 years behind bars if convicted.

“The next hearing has been scheduled for March 20,” the ministry source said, adding that he is being held in Kinshasa’s main Makala prison.

Women are frequent targets of sexual violence in the sprawling central African nation, especially in the conflict-torn east.