(24 Apr 1998) T/I: 10:29:48
The entire Belgian government came under pressure to resign on Friday (24/04), after the escape by child sex murder suspect Marc Dutroux.
The high profile suspect's short-lived bid for freedom yesterday (23/04) dealt another devastating blow to public confidence in the country's police, judiciary and political system.
Dutroux, a convicted rapist awaiting trial for the murder of four girls and the abduction and abuse of two others, spent more than three hours on the run Thursday after a spectacular escape from a loosely-guarded courtroom.
Within hours of his re-arrest, justice minister Stefaan de Clerck and the minister of the interior Johan Vande Lanotte had announced their resignations.
SHOWS:
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM 24/04
Ext. Palace of Justice;
flowers left for victims;
cu photographs of murdered girls;
Ext. Liberal Reform Party (PRL) office;
SOT Louis Michel, head of the Main Opposition party PRL, in French: "This is a scandal and the government has to take its responsibility. The government does not have the moral responisiblity to run the country any more and the people no longer trust the government."
WS newspaper shop;
vs cus of front pages with pictures of Dutroux;
WS government offices;
SOT resigned Interior Minister Johan Vande Lanotte in English saying: "...because the government, and the government newly formed, cannot accept the fact that two ministers leave and that as a result of that nothing happens. Perhaps it's a bit controversial what I said, but I think that there's a possibility that the government will become stronger out of this, even if it will be difficult to start up again. But I think after some days it could be strengthened."
Pan of presser;
2.15
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