Four men found guilty of contract hit on vet

Four men have been found guilty in Antwerp of the 1995 murder of a veterinary inspector who was investigating the illegal use of hormones to fatten cattle.

The inspector, Karel Van Noppen, 42, was shot after refusing to stop his investigations into the lucrative trade despite death threats.

Livestock dealer Germain Daenen, arms trader Carl De Schutter and cattle breeders Alex Vercauteren and Albert Barrez are said to be facing long prison terms after a seven-week trial.

Two of the men, De Schutter and Barrez, had admitted the murder. Vercauteren and Daenen had denied ordering the contract killing. Mr Van Noppen had been preparing to file an indictment against Vercauteren.(AP)