3 doctors judged for illegal euthanasia for broken heart patient

Three doctors will stand trial on charges of illegal euthanasia in Belgium.

The doctors, whose names have not been made public, are accused of unlawfully poisoning Tine Nys on April 27, 2010,  Daily Mail reported. The patient herself asked for euthanasia, and the procedure was carried out in the presence of her physician and psychiatrist.

"The family claimed in 2018 she was suffering from a broken heart due to a failed relationship, and that she falsely claimed to be autistic in order to be approved for euthanasia," the source noted

Relatives claim that euthanasia was performed unprofessionally. The patient's sister said that during the procedure she was asked to hold the needle.

If the prosecution succeeds in proving that Tyne Nys did not have an incurable psychiatric illness, doctors face imprisonment for carrying out euthanasia illegally.

Euthanasia in Belgium was legalized in 2002 and the right to carry it out has adults who have faced unbearable physical or mental suffering due to a serious and incurable disease.