Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A Psychiatric expert will conduct examinations on one of the female victims who alleges Dennis ‘Black Magic’ Burkas (50) engaged in sexual assault when the Antwerp Court of Appeal made this decision. Defense attorneys requested that this woman participate in the trial but she declared her inability to appear.
A forensic psychiatrist works on behalf of the Antwerp Court of Appeal to determine Nanoe Vaesen’s fitness for testifying in the rape case against former porn producer Dennis ‘Black Magic’ Burkas, who operates as an OnlyFans model. A forensic psychiatrist will assess Vaesen for medical fitness to testify after she did not appear for trial on February 14 because hospitalisation and post-traumatic stress disorder reportedly affected her ability.
The expert assessment reported the patient would need to stay hospitalised until February 15, which resulted in court-ordered evaluations regarding her psychiatric condition. The forensic psychiatrist will decide between having Vaesen testify through live appearance, video conference or with a witness present.
In 2020, Nanoe Vaesen filed a complaint against Dennis Burkas because he required sexual contact in return for magazine publications along with connections with a leading European porn business. Subsequent investigations revealed multiple accusers. The expert review carried out in February confirmed both Vaesen’s hospitalisation and her diagnosis of PTSD despite her non-attendance at the hearing. A forensic psychiatrist received formal court authority to examine whether Vaesen could actively take part in the trial proceedings.
“We support the psychiatric examination because then the objective reasons why my client cannot come and testify will finally become clear,”
says lawyer Virginie Cottyn. She is representing the woman in the trial.
“It’s really not that she doesn’t feel like coming, there are medical reasons for that. That research will also clarify that and then there will finally be no more discussion.”
“We can’t just turn the tables,”
the lawyer continues.
“This is not her trial, but Burkas’. She is the victim, not the perpetrator. She has been dragged through the mud by the media and the opposing party. Her PTSD makes it impossible for her to also be subjected to cross-examination.”
What is the background of the Dennis Burkas case and its legal impact?
Former porn producer Dennis Burkas received his 2023 conviction from a Belgian court for attacking eight women while he held child exploitation photos during his time as “Black Magic.” Multiple women, including OnlyFans model Nanoe Vaesen, exposed their allegations against him for deceiving them by promising career opportunities in adult entertainment before forcing them into sexual activities.
The court issued a seven-year prison sentence to Burkas, though he obtained release by posting €20,000 bail, which allowed him to await his appeal in early 2024.
Belgian authorities currently review potential exploitation cases involving multiple adult entertainment producers across the industry. The statistics from Eurostat showed that in 2023, Belgium experienced 5,000 cases of sexual violence while achieving only 12% successful prosecutions.
The impending appeal depends on witness statements, with particular attention to Vaesen because his documented PTSD diagnosis extended the legal process. The confirmation of Burkas’ conviction will establish legal grounds for prosecuting exploitation within the adult industry. The upcoming June 12 court session will decide Vaesen’s ability to give evidence as well as shape the future course of the trial.
