WILLEMSTAD – The Court of Appeal has acquitted a man in connection with the violent robbery of an Australian tourist near Mambo Beach in early 2024, bringing an end to a case that drew significant public attention on Curaçao.
Alexander C., who had previously been convicted in the case, was cleared on appeal after the court found that the evidence against him was insufficient and unreliable. The Public Prosecution Service had sought a five-year prison sentence during the appeal proceedings.
According to the court, the case relied heavily on the statement of a co-suspect, which was ultimately deemed not credible. In addition, the suspect’s description did not match key elements of the reported appearance of the perpetrator.
The robbery, which involved a violent attack on a visiting tourist, sparked widespread concern at the time, particularly after footage of the incident circulated quickly online. The case fueled debate about safety for tourists on the island.
Alexander C. had spent nearly two years in pre-trial detention. Following his acquittal, he has now been released and is entitled to compensation for the time he was held in custody.
The ruling underscores the importance of reliable evidence in criminal proceedings and closes one of the more closely followed cases involving tourist safety in recent years.