Former minister of Justice Dick criticizes prosecution of bell-ringers

February 15, 2012 5:39 AM

Former minister of Justice, deputy and State member David Dick (PAR) is not pleased with the current criminal investigation into the leaking out of tax data from Ministers George ‘Jorge’ Jamaloodin (Finance) and Abdul Nasser el Hakim (Economic Development).

Dick believes it’s not done that the person who discloses information is prosecuted instead of one investigating huge tax arrears of the ministers.According to Dick, bailiff Specht is a bell-ringer who sounded the alarm in the general interest of the country. It’s a disgrace that he is now being prosecuted for this, said Dick.

Heroic deed

Dick finds it a nasty business that the criminal investigation department also visited various institutions, including the press, to investigate the leak. “It was a heroic deed of the bell-ringer; in the interest of his country, he disclosed a wrong. He should not be prosecuted for this.”

Dick wonders why Premier Gerrit Schotte (MFK) is not prosecuted after he waved bank documents from the Central Bank director in front of the TV-camera. That Justice is used as government apparatus to prosecute Specht, Dick views this as some kind of political prosecution and he fears it will not be long before we have political prisoners on Curaçao.

Parliament

The agenda of the Parliamentmeeting tomorrow includes the leaking of the tax data from the two MFK-ministers. Minister Jamaloodin had requested this meeting. FOL-leader and Parliament member Anthony Godett says that a minister cannot request a Parliamentmeeting. “A one-man party cannot request a meeting so a minister is not allowed to either. He is not even a Parliament member”, says Godett.

Godett continues by saying, “Things are not going well with the Parliament. Certain actions or decisions are taken, mostly for personal reasons. The Parliamentis not taking the general interest of the country into consideration.” Godett mentioned this in the States meeting this morning and he requested clarification from Parliament chairman Ivar Asjes (PS). Asjes states it’s not the first time that the government or a member of the government requests a meeting. As chairman, Asjes acceded to this request and put it on the agenda. As chairman, Asjes has the authority to convene a meeting of the Parliament.

(Amigoe)

14 February 2012