WILLEMSTAD – Former Member of Parliament Rennox Calmes, political leader of the Trabou pa Kòrsou (TPK) party, is set to appear in court on Monday, June 30, for a preliminary hearing. This session, known as a pro-forma hearing, will not address the substance of the case but will review procedural matters. 

The Public Prosecutor’s Office suspects Calmes of involvement in document forgery, specifically the falsification of records related to a parliamentary staff member. The alleged motive behind the falsification was to unlawfully increase the employee’s salary. 

This court appearance comes almost exactly one year after Calmes was arrested on June 26, 2024, by the National Criminal Investigation Department (Landsrecherche Curaçao), along with two other individuals. He was released two days later on June 28, but the allegations against him have remained under investigation. 

During the arrests, law enforcement executed searches under the supervision of an examining magistrate. These searches included Calmes’ residence in Amerikanenkamp and his parliamentary office in Punda. Authorities reportedly seized documents and items deemed relevant to the ongoing criminal investigation. 

Although three individuals were initially detained in the case, Calmes is currently the only suspect facing trial. The other individuals are not being prosecuted at this time. 

The Public Prosecutor’s Office has emphasized the seriousness of public sector corruption, stating that such offenses erode trust in government and can threaten a country’s stability. As a result, the case has been given high priority by both the prosecution and the Landsrecherche Curaçao.