Justice Minister sets the record straight

~ No interference in Theo Heyliger’s case ~

PHILIPSBURG — The Minister of Justice Cornelius De Weever has set the record straight with regard to his Ministry being involved in individual cases. He spoke of the discussions which involved the former Member of Parliament and Leader of the United Democrats Theodore Heyliger, who has been arrested and now detained in the Bonaire prison.

In a statement he said that it is not customary that the Ministry should respond to any investigation. He said that as much as he is in sympathy with Heyliger’s family, there is a “fine line that any minister of justice has to walk to avoid getting personally involved.”

“The Minister responsible for Public Order should not get involved in individual cases. This case, like any other case, must be fought in the court of justice and not in the court of public opinion.”

He stressed that the office of the Minister of Justice should not be compromised to be used for the Public Prosecutor or any suspect. De Weever pointed out that the ‘Trias Politicas’ system that we have, which includes the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches, are clearly separated.

He mentioned that this system clearly separates the powers and as a result these are the boundaries in which we must operate, De Weever concluded.