WILLEMSTAD - Former political leader of the party Korsou Esun Miho (KEM), Michelangelo “Low” Martines, has been sentenced to seven years in prison, the Court announced on Monday. Martines was found guilty of involvement in organized criminal activities, including drug trafficking and money laundering.

His attorney, Eldon “Peppie” Sulvaran, stated immediately after the hearing that Martines will appeal the verdict.

Martines was arrested in 2024 during a large-scale justice investigation into transnational organized crime. He has remained in pre-trial detention ever since, as previous requests for release were denied by the court.

It is not yet known when the appeal case will be heard.