ORANJESTAD - Former Aruban minister Paul Croes is now behind bars. He reported to the Correctional Institution Aruba KIA this week. There he must serve a prison sentence of three years in accordance with the decision of the appeal court. The Supreme Court upheld that ruling on Tuesday 7 February.
The former minister was convicted of official bribery, money laundering, abuse of office, illegal employment and participation in a criminal organization. According to 24ora.com, Croes said when he entered prison that he carries his responsibility with a calm mind and heart.
Croes says to use the period in KIA to focus on positive things in this difficult period.
“It is certainly a difficult situation for me and my family. We are having a hard time, but with confidence and positive energy, we will come out of this too. I will come out of this whole situation stronger. This is not the last you will hear from Paul Croes," said the former minister according to 24ora.com.
Attorney General
The cassation case was mainly about the fact that the defense found that the prosecution of Croes was only carried out by public prosecutors without these public prosecutors having been assigned the powers by the attorney general.
In the case of the prosecution of ministers, it is legally stipulated that this must be initiated by the highest boss of the Public Prosecution Service. He may then delegate this to the public prosecutors.