WILLEMSTAD – The Public Prosecution Service (OM) has asked the court to acquit Chinese businessman Xiaohai F. of money laundering charges in the long-running Avior investigation, concluding that while there are strong suspicions of illicit financial activity, the available evidence does not meet the legal standard required for a conviction.
According to the prosecution, the case involved suspected money laundering linked to several real estate transactions and large amounts of cash. However, prosecutors told the court they lack sufficient lawful and convincing evidence to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
A key obstacle in the investigation was the inability to question crucial witnesses in China, limiting the prosecution's ability to substantiate its case.
The OM also requested acquittal on charges that Xiaohai F. violated Curaçao's financial supervision laws.
However, prosecutors maintain that the businessman did fail to file income tax returns over a period of several years. Because of the extraordinary delays in bringing the case to trial, the OM is asking the court to issue a guilty verdict on the tax offense without imposing a penalty.
The Avior investigation is one of Curaçao's longest-running financial crime cases. It originated in 2016 as a major investigation into alleged money laundering and underground banking networks operating through Chinese-owned businesses in Curaçao and the Netherlands. Authorities conducted coordinated raids in 2017, seizing approximately NAf 15 million in cash and assets, including real estate, vehicles and business properties. The investigation focused on suspected underground banking operations used to move criminal proceeds between Europe, Curaçao and South America outside the formal banking system.
The trial is scheduled to continue on Wednesday. Xiaohai F. is being represented by defense attorney Marije Vaders.
The court will decide at a later date whether to accept the prosecution's request for acquittal on the money laundering and financial supervision charges and whether to issue a conviction without punishment on the tax offense.