No more automatic custody for killers, promises minister

TheCopenhagenPost    April 28th, 2015

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Decision follows controversial cases

In some cases relatives of the deceased have had to ask the killer of their child to see their grandchildren (photo: iStock)

If one parent kills the other, the murderer shouldn’t automatically have custody of the couple’s children, Manu Sareen – the minister for children, gender equality, integration and social affairs – has told TV2 Nyheder. The government plans to change the law in what represents a U-turn.

This follows a number of cases in which, for example, the parents of a murdered mother have had to ask the convicted killer for the right to see their grandchildren.

In the case of Hafida Bourouih, whose ex-husband is awaiting trial for her murder, the couple’s two children have had to move from the victim’s brother to the ex-husband’s parents since he sought custody.

READ MORE: Husband admits to strangling mother of two in Glostrup

Hassan Brouih, the brother of Hafida, and his wife had also applied for custody. “We are in shock about the decision,” he told TV2.

“How can you reward a murder in this way for having killed the children’s mother. It’s awful what those children have been through.”