After returning from abroad, Leoncita Arends went to KIA this morning to fulfill the Superior Court’s sentence in the “Avestruz” case.
It was understood that there was an arrangement with the Public Prosecutor’s Office that Leoncita would return from abroad this month to serve her sentence.
As is known, on July 12, 2024, the Joint Court of Justice (three judges) of the Superior Court delivered its verdict in the Avestruz case, where four suspects—Werleman, Núñez, Mansur, and Harms—were acquitted, while P. Sussebeek, L. Arends, and B. Sevinger were convicted.
The Court stated that Sussebeek bought Sevinger to acquire land, considering this a serious matter. The Court took into account that the case is old and that Sussebeek suffered negative publicity. The Court sentenced Sussebeek to 30 months (2 years and 6 months) in prison, of which 10 months are conditional with a 3-year probation period. The Court decided that the 1.3 million dollars would be confiscated.
The Court found Sevinger guilty of embezzlement and taking bribes. The Court pointed out that Sevinger’s foundation received funds and that Sevinger embezzled money from the foundation.
Regarding the punishment, the Court stated that a clear signal must be sent that corruption is unacceptable and carries heavy punishment. The Court found that Sevinger abused his position as a minister.
The Court sentenced Sevinger to 4 years in prison, of which 1 year is conditional with 3 years of probation. The Court also prohibited Sevinger from participating as a politician in elections for 5 years.
The Court found that Arends bought Sevinger for land. It found it proven that Arends sent money in an envelope to Sevinger. The Court pointed to the testimony of witness Roga, who delivered the money and spoke about land parties. The Court stated they do not believe Arends’ claim that the envelope contained lottery tickets. The Court showed that Arends kept denying that she sent Roga with an envelope until Sevinger’s wife stated that Roga delivered an envelope to her.
The Court sentenced Arends to 2 years in prison, of which 1 year is conditional with a 3-year probation period. The Court said it sees no need to impose a fine as demanded by the PG (Attorney General).
While B. Sevinger and P. Sussebeek, upon the instruction of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, had to go to KIA to serve their sentences, L. Arends was abroad. There was an agreement that this month she had to be in Aruba to go to KIA. This morning, Leoncita presented herself at KIA.