Dutroux trial enters final phase

Dutroux is arguably the most reviled man in Belgium

Lawyers have begun closing arguments in the high-profile murder trial of Belgian paedophile Marc Dutroux.

He and three others are charged with abducting, raping and murdering girls in the mid-1990s, in a case that has shocked Belgium and the world.

Mr Dutroux admits kidnapping and rape, but denies murder.

The 47-year-old former electrician says he was part of a wider paedophile ring but his trial - which began in March - has revealed no evidence of this.

Hundreds of witnesses - including both of Mr Dutroux's surviving victims - have testified during the trial.

We cannot accept that these criminals could be isolated predators Paul Quirynen Lawyer

Closing arguments are expected to take two or three weeks.

In mid-June the jury will then retire to consider its verdict.

If convicted Mr Dutroux could face a life sentence.

'Diabolical'

On Monday, lawyers for the families of two teenagers found dead at Mr Dutroux's property - An Marchal and Eefje Lambrecks - argued for a guilty verdict but voiced different opinions on the existence of a wider paedophile ring.

Sabine Dardenne gave a dramatic testimony

Paul Quirynen, the Marchals' lawyer, said: "We cannot accept that these criminals could be isolated predators."

However Joris Vercraye, representing Ms Lambrecks' father, focused on Mr Dutroux and two of his co-defendants - including his estranged wife Michele Martin - and called them the "diabolical three".

The two girls were abducted near the Belgian coast in August 1995. The circumstances of their deaths remain a mystery.

The trial included the harrowing testimony of Sabine Dardenne, who was kept in a cell in Mr Dutroux's basement for 80 days.

DEFENDANTS Marc Dutroux, 47 - unemployed electrician charged with kidnap, rape, murder Michelle Martin, 44 - Dutroux's estranged wife, charged with conspiracy to kidnap Michel Nihoul, 62 - businessman charged with kidnapping Michel Lelievre, 32, charged with kidnapping, rape, drug possession Profile: Marc Dutroux

She was repeatedly raped, before being rescued by police in 1996.

Laetitia Delhez - another young woman who was incarcerated in the same basement for six days - also testified.

It emerged during the trial that police had searched the house where they were kept on three occasions - and failed to locate the captives.

Mr Dutroux had previous convictions for child abduction and rape.

The Dutroux case has led to mass protests in Belgium over police and legal incompetence.

The bodies of two eight-year-old girl girls, Melissa Russo and Julie Lejeune, were found buried in one of Mr Dutroux's properties.