Fury in Belgium as Dutroux’s wife to be released

Even after all these years, the mere mention of the name “Marc Dutroux” can wipe the smile off the face of almost any Belgian.

And now that the convicted paedophile and killer’s ex-wife, who let two of his victims starve to death, is on the verge of release, Belgium is being forced to relive some of its darkest moments.

Today, the nation’s highest court is likely to approve granting Michelle Martin conditional freedom, even though she served little more than half of the 30-year sentence she was given for her part in the mid-1990s kidnappings, rapes and killings. One of Belgium’s most loathed criminals could walk free within hours or days afterward.