Convicted of murder and rape granted right to die

[Jazzy]

A Belgian convicted of murder and rape who has been imprisoned for almost three decades has been granted the right to die after doctors agreed his psychiatric condition was incurable, an official and a lawyer said Tuesday.

Frank Van Den Bleeken sought the right to die because he was "suffering unbearably" from his psychiatric condition, his lawyer Jos Vander Velpen said.

Unable to control his sexual urges, the convict had no prospect of living in freedom.

"He has clearly said that he didn't want to leave prison because he didn't want to risk creating further victims," he said. Seeing himself as a danger to society, he could "no longer live like that," the lawyer said.

Belgium's justice minister approved Frank Van Den Bleeken's transfer to a hospital where doctors will end his life, an official said on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to discuss the case publicly.

Van Den Bleeken's lawyer declined to elaborate on his client's psychiatric condition or to discuss when the medically-assisted suicide would take place, citing his client's right to privacy.

Source

Do you think he should have been granted the right to die? Why/Why not?

 

[Dee]

This is a tough one for me. I'm not quite sure what to think of it. However, if he's clearly stated he is incurable and would only create more victims, then who are we as people to try and "cure" this person? *shrug* If he wants to die then so be it.

 

[DrLeftover]

I will comment if and when we see the notice that he has assumed room temperature.


He may also have devised an ingenious escape plan and has no intention of sticking his arm out for that final shot.

Only time will tell.

 

[seasidemike]

yes, absolutely and he should be a poster boy for all other rapists.
Where capital punishment is not in Belgium, the right to euthanasia is. He was only brave enough to do what should have been done to him in the first place.

Kind of like Darth Vader making the right choice in the end.

 

[Evil Eye]

Very... noble?