Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has announced that the cabinet will investigate whether it may still be possible to prosecute Roman Catholic priests who abused children.

About 100 of the priests known to have been involved in child sex abuse in the Netherlands are still alive. However, they cannot be prosecuted because - under the country's statute of limitations -  their alleged crimes took place too long ago.

Mr Rutte has now said he wants to investigate what is legally possible. The prime minister emphasised that it would not be easy to accomplish, but said it was nevertheless his ambition to bring these priests to trial.

(gsh/tf)

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