PHILIPSBURG – Those who have no compelling reason to travel from the Netherlands to one of the islands in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom are advised not to board a plane. The Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has sent warning letters to all governments within the Kingdom. It is also not recommended to travel to the Netherlands. The number of deaths from the new coronavirus in the Netherlands has risen to twelve today. Since yesterday, 155 more people have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. This brings the total…
Author: The Publisher
PHILIPSBURG — The ten days he spent in the police cell were “horrible,” said Ron Elferink, CFO of shipping company Intermar. Along with Intermar owner and CEO George Pelgrim, he is suspected of helping with money laundering. Both should have known that there was something wrong with the origin and acquisition of the “Mullen property”, according to the indictment. The Public Prosecutor demands 140 hours of community service for each. The lawyers of both Pelgrim and Elferink say they are very surprised that their client has to appear in court. With regard to a suspected criminal transaction, which took place…
Dear Editor, In your reporting of the Larimar case, in which Mr. Theo Heyliger is accused of corruption by accepting bribes pertaining to various government projects on Sint Maarten. These bribes netted an amount in excess of 3 million USD. The prosecution based their case on information provided by a so called Crown Witness, by the name of Ronald Maasdam. What struck me in your reporting, is that an error has been made, maybe by a typo or something else while editing the news story. Your reporting mentioned that the Crown Witness can expect payment of 1.8 million euros, in…
PHILIPSBURG — The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana will be opening its Consular Offices at the D&B suite of offices (below the law firm) on Cannegieter Street in Philipsburg as of April 1. This was disclosed by the newly-appointed Honorary Consul Mrs. Kim Lucas-Felix during a recent interview. Lucas-Felix indicated that when her office is opened she will be conducting all consular services on Wednesdays from 1pm to 5pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 1pm. Presently, she is operating at a limited capacity, since she has not received the full training as yet. She is expected to…
PHILIPSBURG – De tien dagen die hij in de politiecel doorbracht waren ‘verschrikkelijk’, zegt Ron Elferink, CFO van shipping company Intermar. Samen met de eigenaar en CEO van Intermar George Pelgrim wordt hij verdacht van hulp bij het witwassen van geld. Beiden hadden moeten weten dat er iets mis was met de oorsprong en verkrijging van het ‘Mullen property’, zo luidt de aanklacht. De Officier van Justitie eist voor elk 140 uur werkstraf. De advocaten van zowel Pelgrim als Elferink zeggen hoogst verbaasd te zijn dat juist hun client voor de rechter moet verschijnen. Met betrekking tot de gewraakte transactie,…
PHILIPSBURG – Theo Heyliger wordt vervolgd op grond van verklaringen van een verdachte die door het Openbaar Ministerie beschermd wordt en voordeel geniet als kroongetuige terwijl de wetgeving van St. Maarten niet voorziet in een kroongetuigeregeling. Dat stelt Heyliger’s advocaat, Eldon ‘Peppi’ Sulvaran, die de rechter verzoekt het Openbaar Ministerie in de Larimar-zaak niet-ontvankelijk te verklaren. Het Openbaar Ministerie heeft het recht van Theo Heyliger op een eerlijk proces geschonden, zo stelt Sulvaran. “De Nederlandse bouwconsultant Ronald Maasdam is jarenlang bewijsbaar de spil in het web geweest. Hij sloot valse consultancy contracten af en ontving miljoenen voor niet geleverde diensten.…
PHILIPSBURG – Theo Heyliger is prosecuted on the basis of statements by a suspect who is protected by the Public Prosecution and who receives benefits as a crown witness while the legislation of St. Maarten does not provide for a crown witness scheme. This is stated by Heyliger’s lawyer, Eldon ‘Peppi’ Sulvaran, who asks the court to declare the Public Prosecutor inadmissible in the Larimar case. The Public Prosecution has violated Theo Heyliger’s right to a fair trial, says Sulvaran. “There is abundant proof that Dutch construction consultant Ronald Maasdam has been the pivot in the web for years. He…
~ Travel restrictions to the destination stepped-up from 14 to 21 days. EOC to Meet Thursday and MPs to be informed ~ GREAT BAY – The travel restrictions which were issued by the Government of Sint Maarten have now been increased from 14 to 21-days, Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs disclosed on Wednesday. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be meeting on Thursday and a meeting will be held with Members of Parliament (MPs) to provide them with an update on national preparations for COVID-19. Jacobs said the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday declared that the coronavirus COVID-19 is now…
PHILIPSBURG — The Cooperative Republic of Guyana has appointed Mrs. Kim Lucas as the Honorary Consul to St. Maarten. Guyana is a South American country that forms part of the Caribbean nations. Lucas is the deputy principal for the St. Maarten Academy academic section and has been in education for as much as 18 years. “I am humbled and at the same time proud that my country has chosen me to become their representative in St. Maarten. This gives me the opportunity to serve the Government of Guyana although not living in the country at this time,” Lucas said. She…
PHILIPSBURG — De zaak Larimar gaat over corruptie in Sint Maarten. Het gaat over betalingen van steekpenningen rondom een aantal grote bouwprojecten en het witwassen daarvan. Er zijn verschillende personen bij betrokken. Uitleg over de zaak en de feiten waarvoor vervolging is ingesteld is te vinden in het bij dit bericht gevoegde animatie. https://youtu.be/A2XnDrhFTVA. Geëiste straffen Vandaag heeft de officier van justitie gerequireerd in de zaken tegen de verdachten H., P., E. en B. De officier heeft tegen verdachte H een gevangenis straf gevraagd voor de duur van zes jaren en zes maanden en tevens een vordering aangekondigd tot het…
