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Belgian Serial Killer Freddy Horion Released on Electronic Monitoring After 46 Years
A Belgian court in Ghent has ruled that Freddy Horion, a convicted serial killer who served 46 years in prison for six murders, may leave prison wearing an electronic ankle bracelet. The 78-year-old will be transferred to a forensic psychiatric care centre, marking a dramatic shift in one of Belgium's longest-running criminal cases. The decision on June 1, 2026, comes after multiple previous requests for conditional release were denied.
Background: The 1979 Massacre
On June 23, 1979, Horion and his accomplice Roland Feneulle raided the home of car dealer Roland Steyaert in Sint-Amandsberg, near Ghent. They murdered Steyaert in his garage, then killed his wife Leona Van Lancker, their 13-year-old daughter Hilde, 22-year-old daughter Anne-Marie, and her 24-year-old fiancé Marc De Croock, who arrived home unsuspectingly. Just months earlier, on February 9, 1979, Horion had also killed Hélène Lichachevski, a Polish shopkeeper in the port of Ghent, using the same weapon. The Belgian justice system's approach to life sentences has been debated in light of this case.
Horion and Feneulle were sentenced to death in 1980, but the sentence was automatically commuted to life imprisonment after Belgium abolished capital punishment. Feneulle died in prison in 2013 at age 60. Horion became one of Belgium's longest-serving prisoners, spending decades in Leuven Central, Bruges, and Hasselt prisons. He briefly escaped in October 1982, hiding in the Netherlands for six weeks before being recaptured.
Legal Battles and ECHR Intervention
For the past 20 years, Horion repeatedly applied for parole or conditional release, but all requests were denied. In 2018, a commission of experts concluded that Horion could leave prison but should not return to society directly; they recommended placement in a forensic psychiatric clinic. In May 2023, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Belgium violated Horion's rights by providing "no realistic prospect of release," citing Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights. This landmark ruling pressured Belgian authorities to reconsider his detention conditions. The case highlights European human rights rulings on prisoner rights.
Euthanasia Request Amid Despair
In May 2025, Horion made headlines by requesting euthanasia, citing "unbearable psychological suffering" caused by decades of incarceration and repeated parole denials. His lawyer stated that Horion's mental health had deteriorated severely. The euthanasia request was ultimately not granted, but it underscored the extreme psychological toll of his prolonged imprisonment. The controversy around euthanasia for prisoners in Belgium remains a topic of public debate.
Court Decision and Strict Conditions
On June 1, 2026, the Ghent sentence enforcement court granted Horion's request for electronic monitoring. He will be admitted to a forensic psychiatric centre and must wear an ankle bracelet at all times. The court imposed strict conditions:
- Mandatory participation in the clinic's treatment programme
- Compliance with all internal rules of the facility
- A contact ban with the victims' families
- Regular reporting to probation authorities
Horion's lawyer, Jürgen Millen, stated: "My client has fulfilled all his obligations and will continue to do so. He is no longer dangerous." The public prosecutor had opposed the release, citing ongoing risks, but the court accepted the forensic experts' assessment that Horion posed a low risk of reoffending.
Impact and Public Reaction
The decision has sparked mixed reactions in Belgium. Victims' families expressed outrage, with one relative stating: "After what he did, he should never see the light of day again." However, human rights advocates argue that even the worst criminals deserve a prospect of rehabilitation. The case has reignited debate about Belgium's approach to life sentences and the role of electronic monitoring in the justice system. Horion's transfer to the forensic centre is expected within days, where he will begin his supervised treatment under electronic surveillance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Freddy Horion?
Freddy Horion is a Belgian convicted serial killer who murdered six people in 1979, including five members of the Steyaert family. He was sentenced to death, commuted to life in prison, and served 46 years.
What crimes did Freddy Horion commit?
On February 9, 1979, he killed shopkeeper Hélène Lichachevski in Ghent. On June 23, 1979, he and an accomplice murdered five members of the Steyaert family during a robbery in Sint-Amandsberg.
Why was Horion released with an ankle bracelet?
The court ruled that after 46 years and positive psychiatric evaluations, Horion could be transferred to a forensic care centre under electronic monitoring. The European Court of Human Rights had also ruled that Belgium violated his rights by denying any prospect of release.
What conditions must Horion follow?
He must wear an ankle bracelet, participate in treatment, obey clinic rules, and avoid contact with victims' families. Violations could result in a return to prison.
Did Horion request euthanasia?
Yes, in May 2025 he applied for euthanasia citing unbearable psychological suffering. The request was not granted, but it highlighted the severity of his mental health struggles.
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