A doctor in Holland is being prosecuted by Dutch authorities for performing euthanasia.

This is the first such case since the legalisation of euthanasia in that country in 2002.

The unnamed nursing-home doctor has been charged after a review board found she had "overstepped the mark" in euthanising a 74-year-old Alzheimer's patient.

Prosecutors say that the patient's will was "unclear and contradictory" about her final wishes.

The doctor’s spokesman told Dutch television channel NOS that she welcomed "further guidance on the question of the wishes of incapacitated patients", but said that she regrets that she is being prosecuted over the April 2016 case.

Contradictory wishes

Prosecutors said the woman had regularly said that she wanted to die, but also said that she did not want to die, so her wishes were contradictory.

They believe the doctor should have checked further with the woman whether she still had a death wish, adding that the case will address "important legal issues regarding the termination of life of dementia patients".

7,000 people euthanised

Last year, almost 7,000 people were euthanised in the Netherlands, accounting for over 4% of all deaths. Twelve cases were flagged for concern, with two under further investigation.

This is the first criminal investigation into the practice of euthanasia in the Netherlands