PHILIPSBURG:---The Anti-corruption Taskforce (TBO) of the Kingdom Detectives Cooperation Team
(RST) are conducting searches since early in the morning of Tuesday, December 13,
2016. At the request of Italian authorities the suspect F.C. (56), born in Italy, has been arrested. The searches are taking place at a home and an office building and are led by an investigative Judge.
Another suspect was arrested on French Saint Martin where searches will also taking place led by a French investigative judge. Dutch-born R.B. (50) was arrested.
The searches and arrests are part of an international action taking place simultaneously in Italy, St. Maarten, French Saint Martin and The Netherlands.
We will give an update on new developments as soon as possible.
Update international Action on St. Maarten
The searches in St. Maarten that started this morning Tuesday, December 13, 2016, and are being led by the Judge of Instruction are still ongoing. The home of the suspect F.C. (56) born in Italy is one of the premises that is being searched.
The Anti-corruption Taskforce (TBO) of the Kingdom Detectives Cooperation Team has arrested F.C. at the request of Italian authorities. Italy will ask for his extradition. He will be prosecuted in Italy among other things for tax evasion and bribery of several politicians. F.C. is also suspected in Italy for using his businesses for money laundering.
The arrests and searches are part of an international coordinated action in Italy, St. Maarten, Netherlands and the French Saint Martin.
Several searches are also taking place on French Saint Martin led by an Investigative Judge. There the suspect R.B. (56) born in The Netherlands has been arrested. Furthermore, searches have taken place in Italy and suspects have been arrested. Finally, in Amsterdam, an office building has been searched.
These actions are the result of a partnership which started six months ago between the Prosecutor’s Offices of Italy, the Netherlands and St. Maarten. The Anti-corruption Unit of the Attorney General’s Office acted in line with this partnership regarding the
arrests, searches, and seizure.
This international cooperation between Italy, St. Maarten, French Saint Martin and the Netherlands fits into the joint, intensive approach to combat cross-border corruption and fraud, also called “undermining”. Undermining, including corruption and money laundering, poses a serious threat to the security and economy of the countries in the Caribbean part of the Dutch Kingdom. The TBO of the RST, the National Detectives Agencies of Curaçao and Sint Maarten and the Prosecutor’s Office are partners in the fight against “undermining”.
Prosecutor's Office Press Release
Francisco Corallo arrested on International Action on St. Maarten, (UPDATED)
