Prosecutors digging into Pim Fortuyn killer's mental state

The Public Prosecution is going to evaluate the psychological condition of Volkert van der G., who assassinated politician Pim Fortuyn on May 6, 2002 in Hilversum. Van der G. will have served two-thirds of his sentence by May and qualifies for early release. If the prosecution wants to appeal the release, they will need to come up with new facts about Van der G., in order for the appeal to stand a chance, according to Professor in penalty rights of the Radboud University, Henny Sackers. 'They want to give it their best shot to keep him locked up.' 'Almost always a risk analysis is made prior to a release,' says Peter van der Laan, Professor of rehabilitation. Issues and risks, such as whether the prisoner could pose a threat to society, living arrangements, employment, conditions to increase the chance of successful rehabilitation, all need to be assessed. In the case of Van der G. it is not out of the ordinary to start the evaluation now, since his release is planned around mid May,' said Van der Laan. So far Volkert van der G. has been on probation for 24 hours a month, anticipating his release in May. State Secretary of Justice, Fred Teeven, has been against it from the start, but the court ordered Van der G. should be granted probation. Teeven was relieved to say it went well, but is still opposed to the plan, because of security concerns.