Philipsburg:--- The nine Cubans that were arrested some four weeks ago in a Dutch taxi as victims of human smuggling were released from police custody on Tuesday. The release came one week after Attorney at law Remko Stomp filed an injunction with the court of first instance to have his clients released from police custody. Stomp also filed a petition with the Minister of Justice seeking asylum for all nine Cubans nationals who can face the death penalty if they were deported back to Cuba.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday shortly before the release Minister of Justice Roland Duncan said the Cubans will not be deported back the Cuba. Duncan said his Ministry would give the Cubans equal opportunity to find work and living accommodations on St. Maarten if they want to make St. Maarten their home. Duncan said Stomp needs to send an individual requests for each of the Cubans before his office can begin working on the request. He said Stomp made a list with the names of the nine people and submitted one request. "Every case or person has to be dealt with separately as I have to see on what grounds they requested asylum." Duncan said while he took the decision not to deport the Cubans government will not be financially responsible for their stay on St. Maarten. He said the Christian council has stepped forward and they are the ones who would be working out their living accommodation on St. Maarten.
The Minister said the only obligation the Cubans have right now is to report to law enforcement as they may be good witnesses in the human smuggling case that is currently being investigated. In the meantime, press prosecutor Rienk Mud said his office would be requesting that the Cubans be heard by the investigating judge as early as possible. Mud said the prosecutor's office wants to make sure these witnesses are heard because by the time the case goes to court they might not be found.
