Belgium | Sven Pichal sentenced to three years in prison with suspended probation
Sven Pichal's defense did not dispute the facts
The Antwerp criminal court on Monday sentenced former radio host Sven Pichal to three years in prison with suspended probation and a fine of 8,000 euros, half of which was suspended.
Update of January 13, 2025
He was prosecuted in a case of possession and dissemination of images of sexual violence against minors.
The public prosecutor had requested a prison sentence of 37 months, one of which was suspended and the rest suspended, as well as a fine of 8,000 euros. (reminder: Sven Pichal, also an LGBT activist, is - or was - in a relationship for around twenty years with Kristof Demasure who works in communications.
Sven Pichal and Kristof Demasure are the adoptive parents of twins named Kevin and Leander. They are – or were – also part of the host families in Belgium…)
Sven Pichal resigned at the end of August 2023 after his arrest for exchanging images of sexual violence against children with several men.
The forty-year-old had spent four months in preventive detention before being released on conditions.
According to the prosecutor, more than 160 photos and videos were discovered on a smartphone as well as a computer.
The Child Focus association, which became a civil party, also highlighted that the defendant endangered two children placed with him by sharing their photos and transmitting their telephone number to third parties.
Sven Pichal's defense did not dispute the facts. She argued for a fully suspended sentence, with conditions, arguing that he had acquired tools to deal with his problems.
Updated November 18, 2024
The former star presenter of public radio VRT was arrested in 2023 for possession and dissemination of images of sexual violence against minors.
( reminder: Sven Pichal, also an LGBT activist, is - or was - in a relationship for around twenty years with Kristof Demasure who works in communications. Sven Pichal and Kristof Demasure are the adoptive parents of twins named Kevin and Leander. They are – or were – also part of the host families in Belgium…).
Sven Pichal arrived masked and hooded in court…
In August 2023, the police in the Antwerp area were informed of the existence of images of sexual violence against minors.
A judicial investigation followed and five people were arrested.
Sven Pichal, actor R.D.B. and his former production assistant B.D., with whom the radio host allegedly shared material showing sexual violence against minors, were placed under arrest warrant for possession and dissemination of such images.
B.D. has already been sentenced by the Antwerp criminal court to eight years in prison for possession and distribution of images of sexual violence against children and rape of two minors aged 14 and 16 at the time of the facts.
He appealed and the judgment will be delivered on November 21. R.D.B., for his part, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for possession and dissemination of images of sexual violence committed against children.
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Article from September 12, 2024
The case concerning former VRT radio presenter Sven Pichal, prosecuted for the possession and distribution of images of child pornography, will be heard on November 18, it was decided on Thursday following consultation between all parties during a preliminary hearing.
As a reminder, Sven Pichal has been in a relationship for around twenty years with Kristof Demasure who works in communications.
Sven Pichal and Kristof Demasure are the adoptive parents of twins named Kevin and Leander. They are also part of the host families in Belgium…
He was arrested at the end of August and immediately resigned. He then presented, among others, “De Inspecteur” on Radio 2 of the Flemish public broadcaster VRT.
He had appealed the extension of his detention under electronic surveillance by the council chamber. The indictment chamber decided to release him but Sven Pichal will have to respect fourteen conditions.
In particular, he will not be able to come into contact with minors or browse the internet.
According to the prosecution, the investigation is now complete and the investigating judge has transmitted the file to the prosecution
The case concerning the former radio presenter of the VRT Sven Pichal, 44 or 45 years old, prosecuted for possession and distribution of images of child pornography, will be heard on November 18, it was decided on Thursday following consultation between all parties during a preliminary hearing before the Antwerp criminal court.
The defense's request for the case to be heard in camera was rejected by the court.
“We will have to be careful what we say because everything could be amplified in the media. My client wants to be able to speak freely about his private life without feeling harassed,” said Walter Damen, Sven Pichal's lawyer.
The defense also had a second request: the appointment of a panel of experts.
Kris Luyckx, who represents civil party Child Focus, opposed both defense requests.
“When it comes to determining whether a case should be heard in camera, the interests of the victims must be at the center of concern, and not those of the accused,” argued Mr. Luyckx.
“I find it strange that someone who has always worked in the media is now complaining about how they work. He should just be a big boy and tell his story when it matters,” adds the Child Focus lawyer, who called the defense request a “delaying tactic.”.
Le ministère public a également demandé au tribunal de rejeter les deux demandes de la défense.
Le tribunal s’est ensuite retiré pour délibérer sur les questions de la défense.
La demande de nomination d’un comité d’experts a été ajoutée au fond de l’affaire.
Le tribunal n’a pas encore pris de décision à ce sujet.