A German man has been found guilty of drugging and raping his unconscious wife for years and sharing video of his crimes on the internet, in a case that has drawn comparisons to the trial of Dominique Pelicot in France.

Fernando P., a 61-year-old school janitor, was found guilty of abusing his wife inside the couple’s home, filming it and then sharing it online without the victim’s knowledge.

He was sentenced Friday to 8 years and 6 months in prison following a trial at a court in Aachen, western Germany. An appeal may be filed against the judgment within one week, the court said.

  • prole@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    1·
    2 days ago

    My understanding of how most of Europe handles incarceration is that: instead of giving really long sentences, but allowing parole after x years like in the US, they give shorter sentences, and then they do a (yearly maybe?) review when the sentence is up to determine if the inmate has been rehabilitated enough to re-enter society.

    So a 5 year sentence in Europe can end up being longer in practice if they determine the person isn’t fit to leave.

    • mcv@lemmy.zipEnglish
      1·
      21 hours ago

      I think that’s only in cases of insanity. Those can turn into life long treatment/sentences. For normal sentences, if you’ve done your time, you’re free. And you can get parole at 2/3 of that for good behaviour.

      At least in Netherland; obviously this can vary wildly per country. But in NL, the max sentence is 20 years, so even the worst murderer can get out after 13. Unless he’s declared insane.

      • Paper_Phrog@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        1 day ago

        This is actually not correct. In NL we have true life sentences, even without insanity. After 25 years you are potentially eligible for a royal pardon. Then you still get a psych evaluation etc. The only one who could get you out is a royal pardon by the king. Not that it happens a lot.

        • mcv@lemmy.zipEnglish
          1·
          21 hours ago

          Yeah, I don’t think the king would ever pardon anyone without a pretty clear demand from the government, parliament or the public. (Turns out it’s happened 5 times in the past 55 years.)

          But you’re right, and I was wrong. I thought that the only thing for which a true life sentence still exists, was treason during war time, and that’s not something that happens anymore. But that’s apparently not true at all; multiple homicide can also result in a life sentence, as can leading a terrorist organisation (presumably when the organisation causes multiple deaths).

          So I stand corrected.