France's six-year battle over a man's life support

The switching off from Monday of the life support for a Frenchman who has been in a vegetative state for 10 years comes after a six-year legal dispute between his relatives, which rekindled the country's heated debate over euthanasia.

Here is an overview of the case of Vincent Lambert:

Vegetative state

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The former psychiatric nurse suffers severe brain damage in a car accident in 2008 that leaves him a quadriplegic at the age of 32.

He is admitted to a hospital in the northeastern city of Reims, where doctors say in 2011 that he is in a vegetative state without hope of improvement.

In 2013 the hospital initiates procedures to cut off life-sustaining intravenous food and water, in line with the wishes of his wife and other relatives.

She and others say Lambert made clear before the accident that he would not want to be kept alive artificially in such circumstances, though this was never put in writing.

But the move is contested by his Catholic parents and two siblings, who urge a local court to rule that life support should continue, which it does.

Taken to higher courts

In January 2014 doctors inform the family for a second time they will stop feeding Lambert intravenously, in line with France's "passive" euthanasia law, which allows doctors to withdraw support for seriously ill or injured patients with no chance of recovery,

But five days later a court rules his treatment must continue, on the request of his parents.

His wife and the hospital appeal to France's supreme administrative court, the State Council, which orders a new medical assessment.

After experts determine that Lambert cannot recover and his condition has even worsened, the council rules in June 2014 that he should be allowed to die.

Lambert's parents take the case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, which says he must be kept alive as it considers the case.

In June 2015 the court backs the State Council's decision.

The following month the hospital announces a third plan to start procedures to end life support, but days later doctors refuse to follow through, citing security fears as the case enrages pro-life activists.

Fourth attempt

In September 2017 doctors announce a fourth bid to withdraw the life support. Lambert's parents again appeal to the State Council, but the request is rejected in January 2018.

In April a court asks for another medical opinion, at the request of his parents. But the experts involved withdrawing in June, citing criticism and attempts at manipulation.

In November a new assessment concludes that Lambert's chronic vegetative state is irreversible.

In January 2019 a court near Reims upholds the decision to withdraw life support. Lambert's parents again appeal to the State Council and the Europe court, but in vain.

In May a UN committee on disabled rights asks France to suspend any action while it studies the case.

Days later Lambert's doctor says he plans to end life support during the week of May 20. A new court appeal by his parents fails.

On May 18 they ask President Emmanuel Macron to intervene, as France's Conference of Bishops urges doctors to wait for the UN committee's findings.

On May 20 doctors begin switching off the life support.