WILLEMSTAD - Esther Cheri, the head of the Admissions Organization (TO) in Curaçao heard last week Friday during the treatment of the Valencia case a 12-month prison sentence against her, six of which are conditional.

 

The Public Prosecutor also thinks that she should be expelled from office for three years.

 

Cheri, in her function as head of the Admission Organization (Immigration Service), was guilty of misuse of her office, human trafficking, incorrect data provision, accepting bribes and forgery.

 

Public Prosecutor Bas van der Vliet stated that the case in particular concerns the behavior of Cheri as head of the service and the impact this had on the organization. In his réquisitoire, he stated: "Favoritism policy and self-interest. That's what this case is about. When should an official, a director of the Admission Organization, distance himself from the matter that she is working on every day instead of interfering with it?

 

May your residence permit applicants help circumvent the rules because they have to help you build your house? And does the processing of these requests have to be urgent? Does that serve a general Curaçao interest? As the director of the TO, as a civil servant, you have sworn an oath to allow the general interest to go before the individual ', according to the officer.

 

By committing these acts as the director of the Admissions Organization, Cheri seriously undermines the confidence that citizens place in the government, says Van der Vliet. 'You can expect honest compliance with the regulations from the director, master in law and with a legal employment history. Someone who presupposes the importance of Curaçao as included in legislation and regulations.'

 

The case will be continued next Thursday.