Marc Dutroux case: Belgium child killer asks for release

Belgian child killer Marc Dutroux has gone before a court to ask for early release from a life jail sentence imposed for the kidnap and rape of six girls, and three murders.

Dutroux, 56, asked a special court in Brussels to be released into house arrest with electronic tagging.

He has served almost 16 years of his life term.

There was huge security at the courthouse, which was sealed off by more than 100 police officers.

The court's books were cleared of other cases for the day as Dutroux's petition was heard behind closed doors, with journalists not allowed to see the proceedings.

There was only a handful of protesters outside the courtroom, chanting "the rope for paedophiles", Agence France-Presse news agency reported.

A ruling is not expected before 18 February and no release can be made before 30 April.

Dutroux was jailed in the 1980s for kidnapping and raping five young girls, but were freed early on good behaviour - only to go on to abduct more young victims.