~ Prosecutor crown witness Ronald Masdaam must return to St. Maarten for questioning by the defense in Larimar investigation~
PHILIPSBURG:--_ Founder and former Leader of the United Peoples Party (UPP) Theodore Heyliger was acquitted on all charges in the Catfish investigation.
The verdict was handed down on Thursday via video conference from Curacao.
According to the court’s verdict, the court found that it could not be proven that the former UPP leader offered former Member of Parliament Romaine Laville any bribe while dismissing the statements given by Bada Bing owner Jaap van den Heuvel. The court cited that Van den Heuvel's statements could not be used since the prosecution had to provide at least two witnesses with the same statements as Van den Heuvel.
Also acquitted of all charges is Jerry Sardine, the co-conspirator of the alleged crimes of bribery.
Heyliger got another victory on Thursday when the court also decided that the crown witness for the prosecution in the LARIMAR investigation Ronald Masdaam must return to St. Maarten where he could be questioned by the defense team. The court will determine the time and place where Masdaam will be questioned to ensure his safety while on St. Maarten is guaranteed.
