PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Richinel Brug, has taken note of the Ombudsman's announcement regarding the launch of a systemic investigation into the administrative practices of Social and Health Insurances (SZV), particularly as it relates to the Medical Referral Abroad program.
Minister Brug stated that, while it is unfortunate that circumstances have led to such an investigation, he recognizes and respects the important role of the Ombudsman in safeguarding transparency, accountability, and adherence to the law within public institutions.
“Ensuring that our institutions operate within the framework of the law and according to the principles of good governance is essential,” Minister Brug said. “From a transparency perspective, this investigation provides an opportunity to review how processes are being applied and whether improvements are necessary.”
The Minister emphasized that referrals for medical treatment abroad remain a critical component of Sint Maarten’s healthcare system, particularly for specialized services that cannot currently be provided locally.
Each year, SZV facilitates around 800 medical referrals abroad for insured persons who require specialized treatment. Ensuring that patients receive the care they require, while protecting their rights throughout the process, remains a priority.
“In many instances, patients must travel abroad to access specialized medical services that are not available on Sint Maarten,” Minister Brug explained. “It is therefore essential that the policies, procedures, and administrative practices governing these referrals are clear, lawful, and centered on the best interests of the patients we serve.”
Minister Brug further noted that, beyond the medical component of these referrals, the logistical aspects of the process must also be clearly regulated.
“While medical referrals are necessary to ensure patients receive care that cannot be provided locally, the policies governing the logistical aspects of these referrals — such as travel arrangements, accommodation, and the rules and responsibilities that apply while patients are abroad — must also be clearly defined, transparent, and consistently applied. Equally important is that patients who benefit from this service understand and adhere to the rules and responsibilities that come with it” the Minister stated.
Minister Brug indicated that he views the investigation as an opportunity to review existing SZV policies and strategies, particularly those that may be outdated and in need of modernization.
“This moment allows us to take a closer look at whether certain policies or operational procedures require updating to better reflect current realities,” the Minister stated. “Our goal must always be to strengthen the system in a way that protects patients, ensures transparency in decision-making, and safeguards the integrity of SZV as an institution.”
The Minister also confirmed that both his Ministry and SZV will fully cooperate with the Ombudsman’s investigation and will respond to the questions posed within the timeframe provided.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Prosecutor’s Office (OM) has officially announced the conclusion of the “Draco” case on appeal by the Joint Court of Justice. This resolution follows procedural agreements reached between the OM, suspect Silvio J. Matser, and his defense attorneys, Safira Ibrahim and Marcel van Gessel. Additionally, the related confiscation case and the “Draco 2” investigations have been resolved through financial settlements, bringing an end to all criminal and confiscation proceedings involving Matser.

The settlement funds will be deposited into the Crime Fund. With this resolution, the cases against Matser and three companies affiliated with him have been finalized. Matser will soon receive a summons to begin serving his prison sentence.

The “Draco” investigation, initiated on November 8, 2018, was conducted by the Kingdom Cooperation Team (RST) under the supervision of the Central Team of the Attorney-General’s Office for Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba.

On February 10, 2022, the Court of First Instance (GEA) sentenced Matser to 22 months of unconditional imprisonment for intentionally failing to file tax returns, submitting incorrect tax returns, and money laundering. The court also ordered the execution of a previously suspended prison sentence. Three additional individuals were convicted as part of the investigation. Both Matser and the Prosecutor’s Office appealed the judgment.

In parallel with the criminal case, the RST launched a Criminal Financial Investigation to determine whether the suspects in the “Draco” case had unlawfully gained financial benefits. The investigation revealed that Matser had enriched himself through the crimes for which he was convicted, prompting the Prosecutor’s Office to initiate confiscation proceedings.

Following Matser’s conviction, the OM also launched a criminal investigation and confiscation proceedings against three companies linked to him. The “Draco 2” investigation focused on allegations of forgery and money laundering. Earlier this year, agreements were reached between the OM, Matser, and his defense team to resolve all these cases.

The appeal in the “Draco” criminal case was concluded by the Joint Court of Justice in accordance with the procedural agreements made between the OM, Matser, and his defense. Procedural agreements are arrangements between the Prosecutor’s Office and the suspect, outlining the desired case outcome. These agreements are submitted to the court for review and approval. While the court is not obligated to accept them, the Joint Court deemed the proposed resolution reasonable and appropriate, issuing a judgment accordingly.

As a result, Matser has been sentenced on appeal to 21 months of unconditional imprisonment. The request to enforce the previously suspended prison sentence was rejected. The one-month reduction in the prison sentence compared to the initial ruling reflects the excessive duration of the appeal process.

The overall agreement with Matser includes his acceptance of the prison sentence and a settlement of 711,045 XCG in the confiscation case, relinquishing unlawfully obtained personal assets. Consequently, the OM will request the Court of First Instance to declare the confiscation case concluded.

Additionally, the pending criminal and confiscation cases against three companies affiliated with Matser have been resolved. Two companies will not face prosecution, as their unlawful gains were already included in Matser’s personal confiscation settlement. The third company will pay a fine of $20,000 and a confiscation settlement of $324,215.

This marks the first instance in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom where a criminal case on appeal has been resolved through procedural agreements. This approach allows for quicker case resolution with fewer procedural steps, saving significant government resources in terms of time, court capacity, and costs. At the same time, the requirement for court approval ensures fairness and equality before the law.

THE HAGUE:--- On Thursday, the Court of Appeal in The Hague overturned the conviction of a Dutch politician accused of inciting violence against the government. The court ruled that the politician's statements during a 2022 farmers' protest and a subsequent online interview did not cross the legal line into criminal incitement.

A lower court previously sentenced the Member of Parliament to 200 hours of community service. Prosecutors argued that the politician encouraged violence against public authorities during a period of intense national unrest over government agricultural policies. The charges stemmed from two specific incidents: a July 2022 speech at a farmers' forum in Tuil and an October 2022 interview on a YouTube channel. During these events, the politician discussed the state's monopoly on violence, the right to rebel against a "tyrannical government," and historical revolutions where citizens marched on parliament.

When we examine the court's reasoning, we see a clear focus on the broader context of the speeches. The appeals court found that while the politician pushed the boundaries of permissible speech, he consistently emphasized the need for peaceful and non-violent resistance. The judges determined that his remarks did not directly or indirectly urge the public to commit crimes or use physical force.

Furthermore, the court noted that the politician's comments about historical casualties during political revolutions functioned as analytical observations rather than a call to arms. Because he explicitly stated his hope for a peaceful resolution without violence, the court concluded that his words lacked the necessary intent to incite.

As a result, the court fully acquitted the defendant of all charges. The decision cancels the previous community service sentence and firmly concludes the legal proceedings against him. The ruling underscores the high legal threshold for proving incitement, especially when evaluating statements by elected officials in a political context.

Click here for the Court Verdict.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Council of Appeal in Civil Service Matters of Sint Maarten has affirmed the dismissal of the former director of the Bureau Telecommunicatie en Post (BTP). The decision, issued on March 4, 2026, confirms that the director (Anthony Carty) was justifiably terminated for serious dereliction of duty, specifically for failing to report secondary employment and engaging in conflicting commercial activities.

The case centered on the director's involvement with private companies that had financial ties to BTP, the government organization he led. The director, appointed in November 2012 after serving in an acting capacity since April 2010, was a co-founder and shareholder in a company that, in turn, held a 35% stake in a second company. This second company, referred to as 'bedrijf 3' in the court documents, secured a contract with BTP in March 2012 to manage the country's number plan for an annual fee of USD 90,000.

According to the verdict, the director, in his official capacity, signed two extensions of this contract in 2015 and 2018.

The Council of Appeal found that the director violated articles 52, 53, and 54 of the Landsverordening materieel ambtenarenrecht (Lma), the national ordinance on civil service law. The court determined that the director committed serious misconduct by not formally disclosing his shareholdings and secondary activities as required by law. The director's claim of having verbally informed the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) was not substantiated with evidence and did not absolve him of his legal obligation to provide written notification.

The court highlighted the direct conflict of interest, noting that the director was involved in renewing contracts that financially benefited a company in which he held an indirect financial interest. The court stated that the director should not have participated in the conclusion and extension of these agreements, which involved payments from the government to the private entity.

The director’s assertion that he had distanced himself from the company in 2014 was deemed not credible by the court, as the official transfer of his shares did not occur until mid-2020. The verdict also referenced related criminal court rulings against the director's business partner, which established that dividends were paid out from the company starting in 2014. The Council of Appeal found it implausible that the director, holding an identical stake, would not have also received such payments.

Ultimately, the Council concluded that the director's actions were incompatible with his high-ranking public position and that he failed to act as a proper civil servant. The court ruled that the disciplinary sanction of dismissal was a proportional response to the gravity of the misconduct. The appeal was denied, and the original court's decision to uphold the dismissal was confirmed.

Click here for the official verdict.