The Antwerp public prosecutor's office has appealed against the decision of an Antwerp court to free radio host Sven Pichal. The radio host resigned from the VRT last Thursday following his arrest. The prosecutor's appeal means Pichal will have to remain in jail at least for another two weeks. The former VRT presenter was arrested as part of an investigation into the dissemination of images of child sex abuse.
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Child sex abuse images probe: five suspects identified: former VRT radio host remains in jail
Colin Clapson
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Prosecutors had 24 hours in which to appeal against the court’s decision to release the radio presenter and oblige him to wear an electronic tag, while under 24-hour house arrest, but announced their decision to appeal within hours.
Pichal’s lawyer Walter Damen (pictured) is not providing any comment on what has happened, though he was keen to condemn the intrusive nature of some news reports.
The court also decided that a second suspect could be freed under similar conditions, but here to prosecutors launched an appeal. In all five suspects have been detained. A complaint from a citizen concerned about the possible dissemination of images of child sex abuse triggered the investigation at the beginning of August. A 34-year-old man was arrested and in still in custody. A fourth suspect has been released on conditions. A fifth suspect was questioned and allowed home. Antwerp prosecutors say there is as yet no proof of an organised network. The cases are being processed as five individual dossiers. Prosecutors are taking the matter extremely seriously and say a lot of impounded material still needs to be examined.