Belgium investigates doctors who euthanized autistic woman

Interested in Belgium?

Belgian officials say doctors might have improperly euthanized a woman with autism, the first time the country has investigated whether or not physicians performing euthanasia might have broken the law since the practice was legalized in 2002.

Three doctors from East Flanders are being investigated on suspicion of having “poisoned” Tine Nys in 2010. The 38-year-old had been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome two months before the apparently legal killing by a doctor.

Belgium’s Chamber of Indictment “presumes that there are sufficient indications in this particular case” and the doctors involved have been referred to the Court of Assize in Ghent. They will now face trial “due to poisoning,” a statement from justice officials said.

Nys’ family previously filed a criminal complaint, alleging there were numerous “irregularities” in her death.

Source: Read Full Article