Letter about Kim De Gelder’s going-out permit causes unrest, “but he is only allowed outside for urgent medical reasons”

The Ghent court is trying to appease the relatives of Kim De Gelder’s victims, after a letter about a possible nightlife permit caused unrest. “He may only leave the forensic psychiatric center for urgent medical reasons.”

Kim De Gelder (36) has been staying in the forensic psychiatric center (FPC) of Antwerp for more than two years, where he is interned. In 2013, he was sentenced to life in prison by the Ghent Assize Court for four murders and 25 murder attempts. On January 23, 2009, De Gelder entered a daycare center in Dendermonde, where he stabbed a nurse and two babies to death. Many others were injured. A week earlier he had murdered a woman at home in Vrasene.

In May 2019, a board of psychiatrists decided that De Gelder is schizophrenic. He had to be interned in a high-security psychiatric hospital. Only in 2022 was there room in the FPC Antwerp and he could be transferred there. But a judgment by the Ghent sentencing court on April 29 led to unrest this month among his victims and relatives. They received a letter from the court, which showed that De Gelder’s placement in that FPC had been extended. But the letter stated that this placement took place “with entertainment permits”.

The East Flemish court is now reassuring the victims and relatives. “This concerns a further placement in a closed regime, whereby De Gelder may only leave the FPC for urgent medical reasons that cannot be treated in the FPC itself,” the court explains. De Gelder would therefore only be allowed to leave the FPC to go to another medical institution, and only if a doctor deems it necessary.

Police guidance

“And even if that situation arises (…), this will always be done under the guidance of people from the FPC,” the court continues. “And if necessary, under police escort.” Kim De Gelder will therefore not be able to plan his day independently.

“During these possible ‘exits’, he must also comply with conditions,” it said. “Including a ban on staying in East Flanders, and a ban on contacting the victims and their families mentioned in the judgment.”