Release for pedophile's wife draws protests
Source: Agencies |
August 4, 2012, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
ABOUT 1,000 people protested yesterday the planned early release from prison of the ex-wife of a Belgian pedophile who aided her husband's abuse and murder of young girls.
The protest took place in Malonne, 75 kilometers southeast of Brussels, where a convent has offered to take in Michelle Martin, former wife of Marc Dutroux, who is serving life in prison.
Martin was convicted of helping her husband kidnap, rape and kill several young girls in the 1990s. She also allowed two eight-year-old girls imprisoned in the basement to die of starvation while Dutroux spent four months in jail for theft.
Residents of Malonne said the idea of having Martin live in the convent was repugnant. "I don't understand how we can release someone who let children die in a cave," said Monique Pire.
The protesters said Martin should not be free to come and go from the convent, which is near three schools. They were not allowed to walk directly in front of the monastery. But in a side street with a view of the convent, they shouted and whistled, then released black and white balloons into the air.
The demonstration was peaceful.
Maxime Prevot, mayor of the nearby city of Namur, who is also responsible for Malonne, said he was concerned about Martin's possible arrival in the village.
"And I told her it would be impossible for the city to guarantee the security of Michelle Martin and of the nuns, should she actually come to Malonne," he said.
The protest took place in Malonne, 75 kilometers southeast of Brussels, where a convent has offered to take in Michelle Martin, former wife of Marc Dutroux, who is serving life in prison.
Martin was convicted of helping her husband kidnap, rape and kill several young girls in the 1990s. She also allowed two eight-year-old girls imprisoned in the basement to die of starvation while Dutroux spent four months in jail for theft.
Residents of Malonne said the idea of having Martin live in the convent was repugnant. "I don't understand how we can release someone who let children die in a cave," said Monique Pire.
The protesters said Martin should not be free to come and go from the convent, which is near three schools. They were not allowed to walk directly in front of the monastery. But in a side street with a view of the convent, they shouted and whistled, then released black and white balloons into the air.
The demonstration was peaceful.
Maxime Prevot, mayor of the nearby city of Namur, who is also responsible for Malonne, said he was concerned about Martin's possible arrival in the village.
"And I told her it would be impossible for the city to guarantee the security of Michelle Martin and of the nuns, should she actually come to Malonne," he said.
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