Relatives, friends and supporters of suspended Member of Parliament (MP) Theodore Heyliger are no doubt relieved that the judge has ordered his return to St. Maarten by Friday at the latest (see related story). Spending time locked up as suspect in a criminal case is bad enough, but having to do so on another island far away from home and family makes it worse.
It appears there is now space in the medical ward of the Pointe Blanche prison so he can be housed there at least temporarily and continue his pre-trial detention in the Larimar investigation. The Dutch side’s biggest vote-getter already for many years is accused of accepting bribes totalling US $300,000 for the purchase of real estate in exchange for awarding government contracts.
Via his lawyer, the career politician had resigned as United Democrats leader in obvious protest after being relocated to Bonaire’s newly built jail. Law enforcement authorities defended this much-criticised transfer saying it was because of a policy to no longer allow detention for longer than 10 days in the unfit cell complex at the Philipsburg police station, while the current maximum capacity of 70 inmates at St. Maarten’s penitentiary had already been reached.
Heyliger is obviously a popular figure and many will be happy with this latest news from a humanitarian point of view, but others suggest keeping in mind that the allegations against him are of a highly serious nature. Corruption erodes the very foundation of democratic societies and must be tackled strongly to ensure compliance with the rule of law.
Of course, anyone is innocent until proven guilty and should not be subjected to what some may see as disguised premature punishment. In fact – if at all possible – it’s best to avoid even the mere perception of such.
