Former porn producer Dennis ‘Black Magic’ Burkas has raised the €20,000 for his bail and will be able to leave prison on Monday, his lawyer, Walter Van Steenbrugge, has confirmed. His provisional release, pending further handling of his appeal, was requested by his lawyer.
Burkas has been in pre-trial detention since April last year after being sentenced to seven years in prison by the Tongeren court for the rape of eight women. He had promised them careers in the porn industry, but only if they first shared his bed to prove their sexual prowess.
Burkas has appealed against the conviction. The appeal trial began in Antwerp last Friday, but a key witness failed to appear due to illness. The court decided to appoint an expert to examine the witness, but this procedure has delayed the trial.
Lawyer Van Steenbrugge then requested his client’s provisional release, citing the lengthy pre-trial detention and the uncertainty over when the case would progress. The court granted the request and set the bail at €20,000.
Although it was initially unclear if Burkas could or would pay the amount, Van Steenbrugge now confirms that the money has been secured. Burkas is expected to be released on Monday.
