Gangster suicide
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.(First Edition)
Belgium's most notorious gangster, Patrick Haemers, hanged himself in prison yesterday after barricading his cell door and demanding drugs, Reuter reports from Brussels.
The suicide of Haemers, dubbed the 'Big Blond' by a sometimes adoring media, ends a tale of car chases, hold-ups and prison escapes in a further embarrassment for Belgium's shaky criminal justice system.
It also put more pressure on the Justice Minister, Melchior Wathelet, to resign after a series of judicial blunders and prison escapes. Haemers, 40, pulled off his most famous crime in 1989, kidnapping the former Belgian prime minister and elder statesman Paul Vanden Boeynants. Police eventually caught up with him and he was extradited to Belgium in 1989. Haemers's trial in April turned into farce when the courts were unable to find enough jurors.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments