The Dutch parliament has approved a government proposal which would make it possible to re-try a defendant who has previously been acquitted. In cases involving serious crimes, suspects could be prosecuted again if new evidence is uncovered. 

It is not currently possible for someone to be tried twice for the same crime.

The previous cabinet wanted to change the law for offences which carry a life sentence and involve the death of a person. 

Security and Justice Minister Ivo Opstelten has expanded this to include manslaughter and crimes of violence and sex crimes which result in a death. The new legislation will apply retrospectively to existing cases which do not fall under the statute of limitations.

The cabinet and parliament agreed it was unacceptable that a former defendant should remain unpunished when new highly incriminating evidence becomes available. This is increasingly the case as a result of new techniques such as DNA testing.

(imm/tt)

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