Fourniret wife charged with murder

11 March 2005

BRUSSELS –Monique Olivier, the wife of self confessed serial killer Michel Fourniret, has been charged with three murders, it was confirmed on Friday.

The three victims were all young girls Olivier is said to have lured to the Belgian home she and her husband lived in between 1992 and 1997.

Belgian prosecutor prosecutor Arnoud d’Aspremont Lynden told France’s AFP news agency that Olivier had been charged with murder because she invited the girls to her home, “knowing that Michel Fourniret was going to kill them.”

Meanwhile, Le Soir newspaper reported on Friday that Fourniret will almost certainly stand trail in France before appearing in court in Belgium.

French judicial authorities intend to try Fourniret in the first three months of 2006, the newspaper explained.

But Belgian investigators say they can’t name a trial date here until they carry out further detective work.

That means Fourniret is practically certain to stand trial in France first.

Belgian prosecutors have even hinted that they may look into the possibility of having a French court try Fourniret for crimes committed here, thus reducing the number of times he has to stand trail.

No firm decision has been taken on that question however, and Le Soir reported that none was expected before June this year.

Fourniret is wanted in connection with a string of murders on both sides of the French-Belgian border, eight of which he has confessed to.

Subject: Belgian news