“Justice recognizes the judgment and therefore the errors. This is why the resigning Minister of Justice decided not to appeal,” added Mr. Van Tigchelt. “In consultation with Julie’s parents, the same representatives of Justice, the judiciary and the executive branch would like to apologize to the entire population and in particular to Julie’s family, to her boyfriend, to her friends and to all those who knew her,” continued the outgoing Minister of Justice.
“He should have been in prison”: Julie Van Espen’s family sues the Belgian state
According to Stijn Verbist, the lawyer for Julie Van Espen’s family, this apology is “historic”. “And above all the way in which this happened: it is unprecedented that senior representatives of Justice personally apologized on behalf of the judiciary and the executive branch. They went to the family’s home and had a conversation face to face”, underlines the lawyer. “The family greatly appreciates this apology. For them, the case is now closed, as well as for the Belgian State. There will be no appeal from the State and the family will not claim damages. “
Erik Van Espen, the victim’s father, believes that the apology closes the trial: “We are now looking to the future. There are still many things to change within the Justice system and we want to take part in it .”
Julie Van Espen was raped and murdered on May 4, 2019 by Steve Baekelmans, a man who had already come into contact with the law on several occasions, notably for violent and sexual acts. On June 30, 2017, he was again sentenced to 4.5 years in prison for rape by the Antwerp Criminal Court, but the court did not order his immediate arrest at that time, and it was necessary to wait 23 months before he was also convicted on appeal.
