Dutroux claims custody conditions inhumane

One of Europe's most notorious criminal suspects has gone to court in Belgium to appeal against his conditions while in custody.

The man, Marc Dutroux, is accused of kidnapping, torturing and raping six girls aged between eight and nineteen, and killing four of them.

His lawyers told the court in the town of Arlon that it was inhumane to keep him in solitary confinement and disrupt his sleep with regular surveillance.

Prosecutors said the measures were for his own protection.

The court's decision is expected in about two weeks.

Marc Dutroux is current serving a five-year sentence for having escaped shortly after his arrest four-and-a-half years ago.

The date for his trial is still unknown.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service