The Hague - A Dutch appeals court is set to rule today in a landmark case of a doctor who helped a healthy 86-year-old man commit suicide because he was "tired of living". In April, the Netherlands became the first country to legalise mercy killings under specific conditions, although the law has still to come into effect.
Under the legislation, euthanasia is allowed under three conditions: the patient's condition must be incurable; the patient must be of sound mind and must fully agree to the procedure; and his or her suffering must be considered unbearable.