Dutch politician's killer says it was "divine duty", prompted by euthanasia vote

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February 4, 2016 3:18 PM

Van U was initially arrested on suspicion of killing his sister when DNA evidence linked him to the Borst case. His lawyer Noelle Pieterse has argued her client suffers from schizophrenia and should not be held responsible for his actions.

Dutch politician's killer says it was "divine duty", prompted by euthanasia vote

The man accused of murdering retired Dutch politician Els Borst confessed to her killing in court on Thursday, claiming he was motivated by her role in legalising euthanasia, according to media reports.

Borst, a member of the liberal D66 party, was a leading figure in the campaign that led to the Netherlands becoming in 2002 the first country to legalise euthanasia, under certain conditions.

She was found bludgeoned to death in the garage of her home in the central village of Bilthoven in February 2014.

The suspect, identified only as Bart van U under Dutch privacy laws, told judges he had murdered Borst as a "divine duty", NOS public television reported.

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