Suspended Member of Parliament (MP) Theo Heyliger arrives at the courthouse in Philipsburg accompanied by a family member.
PHILIPSBURG—Suspended Member of Parliament (MP) Theo Heyliger appeared in court this morning for a preliminary hearing in the Catfish investigation.
The Prosecutor has submitted a demand of 12 months in prison, of which 6 months conditional, and a 5-year suspension of Heyliger’s passive voting rights. The prosecutor considers it proven that both Heyliger and co-suspect J.M.S. attempted to bribe former MP Romain Laville with money and a ministerial post to “jump ship”.
The Prosecutor does not consider it proven that Laville was also offered a parcel of land.
J.M.S. is facing a demand for 120 hours community service, of which 60 conditional and a 5-year suspension of his passive voting rights.
The Catfish investigation started in March 2013 after former MP Romain Laville filed with the National Detectives an official complaint of attempted bribery to “jump ship”.
Heyliger and J.M.S. are both charged with having attempted to bribe Laville during the period of September 1, 2012, to July 25, 2013. The suspicion is that both made various promises to Laville with the intention that he would give up his seat in Parliament, thus withdrawing support from the then-Wescot-Williams II Cabinet.
Sums of money ranging from US $135,000 to $350,000 allegedly were promised to Laville. A ministerial post in the then new Cabinet to be formed were also offered, all of this if Laville “obliged by giving up his seat in Parliament,” according to the Prosecutor’s Office.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/91949-theo-faces-prison-suspension-of-voting-rights-in-catfish-case
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