Frank Van Den Bleeken, a Belgian murderer and rapist serving a life sentence in Brussels, Belgium, has been granted the right to end his life via doctor-assisted suicide, reports state.

Van Den Bleeken has been behind bars since 1984 and was only able to leave the prison once, which was during the death of his mother. Van Den Bleeken is serving his sentence after being charged with multiple rapes and one case of rape-murder.

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Allegedly, Van Den Bleeken thought it would be better if he could exercise his right to euthanasia since he could not control his forceful sexual impulses

He noted that the medically-aided suicide would serve to end years of mental anguish for him. The prisoner had requested euthanasia in 2011, but his request was not approved until now.

Van Den Bleeken's lawyer stated during a broadcast that during the recent years his client has been in jail, he has been seeing different doctors and psychologists.

According to reports, these doctors and specialists have come to the common conclusion that Van Den Bleeken is indeed suffering terribly mentally.

His lawyer noted that the date for the medically assisted suicide has not yet been specified but that it will take place in a hospital.

The perpetrator, who is already 50-years-old, complained about the lack of therapy given to him in Belgium, adding that he would rather die than suffer more mentally.

In a documentary, Van Den Bleeken said: "If people commit a sexual crime, help them to deal with it. Just locking them up helps no one: not the person, not society and not the victims."

Furthermore, the European Court of Human Rights has frequently criticized Belgium regarding its failure to treat mentally ill prisoners properly.

The euthanasia rule was passed years ago and this is the first time that it will be involving a prisoner. Belgium, as well as most European Union countries, does not sentence prisoners with the death penalty.

The number of euthanasia cases in Belgium have increased over the years since it was introduced in 2002. Most of the cases involve those who are terminally ill or those who are already elderly.

In February this year, it was announced that euthanasia will soon be applicable to terminally ill children as well.

TagsFrank Van Den Bleeken, Euthanasia in Belgium, murdered, rapist, Belgium, killing, euthanasia, Belgium, Rape, Murder