Amsterdam
Opposition lawmakers called for the resignation of the Dutch justice minister this week after a psychiatric patient escaped custody and killed a man. The patient, a sex offender who was being treated at a mental hospital, broke away from his chaperone while on supervised leave. He was found several days later, next to the bludgeoned body of a 73-year-old. It was the third escape by a criminally insane patient in a month. Many Dutch citizens are blaming Justice Minister Piet Hein Donner, who advocates returning such patients to society. But Donner stands by the rehabilitation program. “In my opinion,” he said, “we are taking all necessary precautions.”
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