A Belgian judge has decide not to prosecute a doctor specializing in euthanasia after he was accused of murdering a woman who came to him seeking death, but who was not terminally ill. Dr. Marc Cosyns of Ghent euthanized the 88-year-old woman on January 5, 2008, after her own doctor had opposed the request for euthanasia. It was reported that the woman had an incurable disease that was not terminal and suffered from several other ailments. The woman's son filed a complaint with the public prosecutor after he learned of Dr. Cosyns part in his mother's death.
Upon hearing of the judge's refusal to hear the charge of murder against him, Dr. Cosyns reportedly said, "I am very pleased that the right of the patient has been secured. There is still misunderstanding, among patients and family members, about euthanasia in cases of a non-terminal condition, but it is possible." In 2002, Belgium passed a law allowing euthanasia on newborns and terminally ill patients suffering "constant and unbearable physical or psychological pain."
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