Belgian judge presents report on Dutroux case

The judge heading the investigation into Belgium's most notorious child sex and murder case said he had handed over his conclusions…

The judge heading the investigation into Belgium's most notorious child sex and murder case said he had handed over his conclusions this evening after a six-year inquiry.

Investigating magistrate Mr Jacques Langlois said he had turned over the dossier nearly five months after wrapping up the investigation into Marc Dutroux, who is not expected to go to trial until some time next year.

He said the delay in handing over the file was due to requests from the defence team as well as plaintiffs for additional inquiries into the case against Dutroux, whose case has shocked the nation.

Seven other people, including Dutroux's wife Michele Martin, have also been indicted.

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Dutroux is accused of kidnapping and murdering two young girls and two teenagers, whose bodies were found at his properties in 1996.

He also stands accused of raping the four girls, as well as two others who were found alive on one of his properties.

Dutroux was arrested in August 1996 when he was registering a van, only days after 14-year-old Laetitia Delhez was kidnapped near the southeastern town of Neufchateau.

Two days later, Laetitia was found alive together with 12-year-old Sabine Dardenne, near one of Dutroux's properties at Marcinelle, near Charleroi, around 50 kilometres south of the capital Brussels.

AFP