Paul van der Sloot no longer a suspect
Amigoe
11/12/2005

ARUBA – The Common Court of the Neth.Antilles and Aruba decided that Paul van der Sloot is longer a suspect in the Holloway case.

The court decided this in a lawsuit where Paul van der Sloot asks the National Government for compensation due to damages caused by his persecution in the Holloway-case.

Paul van der Sloot was detained from June 23rd up till the 26th in connection with the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. The examining-magistrate decided then that there was not sufficient evidence against Van der Sloot and released him.

His lawyer thought that he was no longer a suspect and instituted a lawsuit for compensation. During the hearing of this lawsuit it appeared that the Public Prosecutor (OM) was still considering him as suspect. Lawyer Swaen was very surprised to hear this, because in an earlier letter he was told that his client was no longer a suspect. Swaen asked for a copy of the report, which he was denied because his client was not a suspect. The judge ruled yesterday that Van der Sloot is indeed no longer a suspect and that his compensation case can continue. He has to submit a foundation of the claim not later than December 1st and the OM has two weeks to react. The Court will decide on the claim early next year. The OM can also appeal yesterday’s decision of the Court.

[English language original text]