Five years for kidnapping son

9 March 2007

BRUSSELS – The appeal court in Brussels has sentenced a man of Moroccan descent to five years in prison for kidnapping his son in August 2005.

Imade B. was divorced from his wife. The couple had already been arguing for years over the custody of their son, who was nine years old at the time. The father left to Morocco with the child because he felt his ex-wife was providing him a proper upbringing.

Imade B. was initially sentenced to 40 months in prison. He appealed this ruling and failed to appear in court.

The court found on Thursday that the suspect had tried to participate in the process by involving the Moroccan authorities in the case in an attempt to keep custody of his child.

The court granted the request from the head of the prosecution department and ordered that the man be arrested immediately.

Subject: Belgian news