Dutroux sidekick in bid for freedom

23 September 2004

BRUSSELS – Michel Lelievre, the accomplice of child serial killer, Marc Dutroux, hopes to be released from jail by Christmas, it was reported on Thursday.

In June this year Lelievre was sentenced to 25 years in prison for his involvement in Dutroux’s crimes against young girls.

At the time of his conviction he had already spent eight years and four months behind bars.

Over the next few days, the personnel committee at Ittre prison will consider whether he may qualify for early release under certain conditions.

“We have not introduced the request,” said his lawyer Olivier Slusny. “It is an automatic procedure.”

If the prison body gives a positive report, it would fall to the committee for conditional releases.

It is currently uncertain whether Lelievre’s release will be approved.

Subject: Belgian news