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.

PHILIPSBURG:--- After an extensive and ongoing investigation, the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) has arrested a suspect believed to be involved in a violent home invasion robbery that occurred in the Beacon Hill area on December 2, 2024.

On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, detectives from the Special Unit Robberies arrested a male suspect with the initials L.A.H., 51 years old, for his alleged involvement in the incident. The arrest follows a lengthy investigation conducted by the specialized robbery investigation team.

During the home invasion in December 2024, the victim was shot and seriously injured, and the victim’s dog was also shot by the suspect or suspects involved. The violent nature of this crime caused significant concern within the community and prompted an intensive investigation by KPSM detectives.

The suspect L.A.H. is currently being held at the Philipsburg Police Station, where he remains in custody for further questioning as the investigation continues. Detectives are still working to determine whether additional suspects were involved in the robbery.

KPSM wishes to make it absolutely clear to those who engage in serious criminal acts that time does not provide protection from justice. Investigations remain active for as long as necessary, and KPSM personnel remain committed to identifying, locating, and arresting those responsible for violent crimes in our community.

KPSM continues to encourage members of the public who may have information related to this case or other criminal activities to come forward and assist law enforcement.

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the Police Force of Sint Maarten at +1 (721) 542-2222, or anonymously through the KPSM Tip Line at 9300.

PHILIPSBURG:--- In a continued effort to strengthen crisis preparedness, operational leadership, and regional cooperation within the Dutch Caribbean, the Police Force of Sint Maarten has successfully completed an intensive Staff and Crisis Management (SGBO) training program. The week-long training, held from Monday, March 2 to Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Philipsburg Police Station, was delivered by expert instructors from the Netherlands Police Academy (Nederlandse Politie Academie – NPA).

This training forms part of a broader strategic development project under the framework of the College van Korpschefs, which aims to enhance crisis management structures, harmonise operational procedures, and strengthen cooperation among the police forces of the Dutch Caribbean. The initiative underscores the shared responsibility of the regional police organizations to collectively improve preparedness and response capabilities in the face of complex and large-scale incidents.

The SGBO (Staf Grootschalige en Bijzonder Optreden) program was specifically designed to equip crisis managers within the Police Force of Sint Maarten with advanced operational knowledge and practical skills required to effectively coordinate and manage both planned and unplanned crisis situations. The training focused on strengthening command structures, improving interdepartmental communication, refining decision-making processes, and reinforcing structured crisis coordination models.

A selected group of crisis managers participated in the intensive program, which combined theoretical instruction, realistic crisis simulations, and structured strategic debriefings. The training was facilitated by four experienced NPA trainers: Jeroen Rosendaal, Michiel Bitter, Harald Braat, and Perry Jobse. Through this comprehensive approach, participants further enhanced their competencies in crisis preparedness, operational coordination, and leadership under high-pressure circumstances.

By participating in this regional project, the Police Force of Sint Maarten reaffirms its commitment not only to strengthening its internal crisis structures but also to contributing actively to a unified and resilient Dutch Caribbean policing framework. Investing in leadership and crisis management capacity ensures that the force remains prepared to safeguard public order and safety at the highest professional standard.

The Police Force of Sint Maarten extends its sincere appreciation to the Netherlands Police Academy, the College van Korpschefs, and all participating officers for their dedication and collaboration throughout the training week. Continued partnership and knowledge exchange remain essential pillars in advancing policing standards across the region.