OM has not warned me on time

Same as last time, a huge amount of media came to Aruba this time to cover the detention of the three suspects.

Amigoe.com
12/14/2007

ORANJESTAD – Justice-minister Rudy Croes (MEP) says that he should have been informed earlier of the detention of the three suspects in the Holloway-case. “Now that everything is back on the table, the reputation of Aruba is harmed again internationally.”

The case could have been dealt with more carefully if he was informed on time, suggested the minister. “Was it well-considered to make the arrests? If there were plenty of evident, they would not have been released.” He considers the contact between him and the Public Prosecutor (OM) about the recent developments in the Holloway-case an abnormal working situation. “As a matter of fact, I am ultimately responsible for this matter; the OM falls under my policy. Doesn’t that mean that I should have been informed in advance? There is no need for me to do anything any longer and we must save what can be saved. Let’s drop the case as soon as possible.”

According to chief district attorney Hans Mos, the justice-minister, who as opposed to Parliament is politically responsible for the actions of the OM, was one of the first persons that were informed after the arrests. “He was immediately informed together with the prime minister. Our scheme clearly mentions that.” He says that it is however unusual to inform the minister in advance of an arrest. “That only happened in very special cases that affect the public order and safety of a country, like with terrorist crimes. In individual criminal cases like this one, the OM makes decisions and the minister must not work against it. Some people are more worried about the reputation of the country than they are about solving criminal cases. These seem to be subordinated to economic interests; you can then do away with the police and justice.” Mos emphasized that the government and the justice-minister could have always contacted him about the case. “But the minister has not once asked for an explanation on the arrests. I would have done this with pleasure.”

Besides, the OM doesn’t want to continue dragging the case and has decided to set the deadline on December 31 of this year. The prosecution is currently thinking over continuing or dismissing the case. That all three suspects appealed to their right to remain silent after their arrest was an obstacle for justice. That was also the reason why the judge has decided to release them from custody, because it didn’t serve any purpose.

RESEARCH SHIP DELAYED DUE TO OLGA

The unusual December storm in the Caribbean, Olga, has delayed the arrival of the research ship that Dave Holloway wants to bring to Aruba to search the seabed for the body of his daughter. The management of Texas Equusearch ‘Mounted Search and Recovery Team’ cannot say when the search can start. “Keep praying”, said the relief organization on the website. The tropical storm Olga has already caused the death of 8 persons in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

Political Analysis
More harm again
DIARIO Aruba
12/08/2007

ORANJESTAD (AAN): Tourism is the most important lifeblood of our economy and it is incredible that neither our governors nor our private sector have reacted as they must. Our Public Ministry has become a total farce and a laughing stock nationally and internationally.

However, the latest actions of the Public Ministry has done immense harm to the economy of Aruba. All of the American press and a few from other countries are in Aruba again and nothing can be done to turn a negative development into a positive one. On the contrary, advertisements say that still Aruba is not feeling the negative effects of the latest blunder of the Public Ministry, supported by a Minister of Justice who still doesn’t know where his face is.

The truth is that by the extraordinary efforts from the hotels themselves, tourism stopped going down compared to the recent past. But now that the verdicts of the judge-commissioner saying that the Public Ministry did not have any footing for the recent detention of the three young men, the negative effects will hit Aruba’s economy hard again. It is more than clear that the government does not have any plan to try to minimize these negative effects.

Again, our governors are with their arms crossed from the recent events without having any idea of what to do about it. Apparently the private sector doesn’t seem to be prepared either to do the maximum so that the actions of the government (Public Ministry) of Aruba in this case do not cause great harm again. Once again, we have to emphasize that it is impossible to understand how the government is not using the situation when so many foreign reporters are in Aruba to invite them to give the positive side of Aruba instead of letting them on their own and decide what they will write and talk about Aruba.

Aruba’s name is under great pressure again because of the impotence of our presiding minister who is traveling to India with people not being able to understand what he could be doing there that is more important than the name of our island.

His travels would be understandable if he left behind a team of capable and well-prepared people to deal with the difficult situation we have here. But this is not the case. There is no team which is in charge to tend to the bad propaganda that we will have in these days. This illustrates the mentality if the MEP government in what regards the future of our country.

The interest of the ministers is only to only look after their own interests and those of their family and friends. In all senses, we are confronted with the phenomenon of a total lack of interest in the important issues for the development of our economy on behalf of the current government. It can’t be this way that under these circumstances the presiding minister is on a snoepreisje [?] and given what’s happening he doesn’t show any interest in what he has to do as presiding minister.

Our minister of tourism hasn’t come out with something to avoid harm to our country either. On various occasions we brought forth that the minister of tourism cannot help because of tourism, he knows nothing. What he must be in charge of is a lack of general management based on the expertise of professionals.

And while it is known that tourism is not his specialty and given how much expertise there must be to look after tourism in a professional manner, he has to look for people who know of this matter. He hasn’t done this. Now we are looking at the consequences of the lack of good management. The negative effects of the bad management will be felt by our people who have already had great difficulty living under the pressure of the unjust measures that our government has taken.

This is the mentality of the government that the ministers don’t look at the problem because when things are going badly and they don’t have enough money for the government, they have no problems in taking measures to make the people pay for the bad management.

In these past days we are observing how tourism is doing but also we are observing again all sectors in our community are living in silence in fear that the government will get angry at them. Bad government from the people who can only look after themselves and do not take the interests of our people to heart.

[translated by Getagrip]

According to Chief Prosecutor Mos
Regrettably the suspects kept their mouths shut for 2 weeks despite the fact that some of them had promised they would talk
DIARIO Aruba
12/08/2007

ORANJESTAD(AAN): After the decision came down on Friday that one of the 3 suspects in the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, Joran van der Sloot, went free, the press interviewed Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos and asked him about his thoughts now that all 3 suspects have regained their freedom.

Prosecutor Mos said that the Public Ministry expected this. He said that after the Hof took the decision to let the Kalpoe brothers go, he felt that J.S. would also be set free. The press asked mr. Mos if the O.M. will appeal and he said no.

He explained that the Hof was very clear in its last verdicts in regards to the detention of the Kalpoes and van der Sloot. Another appeal would not accomplish anything. The press asked the prosecutor if the renewed detention of the 3 suspects was a last attempt to be able to abide by the deadline at the end of December to be able to bring a case against them.

According to Mos, it was the Public Ministry which set itself the December 31 deadline, because the suspects also have to know where they stand.

The detentions came down again, because they noted that the suspects were free and there was much investigative material that they had not confronted with. If they would have been invited, perhaps they would not have come to give a statement [voluntarily].

The Public Ministry found that the evidence material was so important that they had to confront them with this. What was salient, according to Mos, was that the 3 suspects kept their mouths shut during 2 weeks, despite the fact that some of them had said that they would relate exactly what happened.

Given that they didn’t talk, the judge got to the point where he had doubts that their detention was still relevant. Mos is 'fastioso' [annoyed?] on behalf of Natalee’s parents because they want to know what happened to their daughter and is also 'fastioso' [annoyed?] on behalf of the Public Ministry who wants to solve the case.

But the suspects made use of their right to remain silent. Mos continued to say that the Hof’s decisions are important for this case, because now they will evaluate what they will do, whether it be to prosecute the suspects or stop the case against them.

The press indicated that there is a big chance that the case will be stopped and Mos said that this is true, because they cannot prosecute people if there is not enough basis to do so. He said, however, that he will evaluate if there are other accusations upon which the suspects can be brought forth in a case.

[translated by Getagrip]

Joran goes free at noontime yesterday
DIARIO Aruba
12/08/2007

ORANJESTAD(AAN)--- The Aruban press was again discriminated against at KIA yesterday when they went to cover the exit of Joran v.d. Sloot from KIA.

They were present at KIA from 1 o’clock but Tele Aruba was inside already and they also permitted American journalists to go inside KIA, while they prohibited the Aruban journalists from entering and doing their jobs.

It could also be observed that at Joran’s exit that he lowered the car window every time there was an American journalist, but when passing by Aruban journalists, the window was closed to prevent us from taking his picture.

The photos here were taken from far showing the American journalists at the entrance of the KIA building and at the moment when Joran came out, taken with a long lens from more or less 100 meters away.

[translated by Getagrip]

Decision about prolongation of Joran va der Sloot’s detention may come down today
DIARIO Aruba
12/07/07

ORANJESTAD(AAN): Thursday, there were many false rumours going around that Joran van der Sloot, suspect in the case of the disappearance and death of Natalee Holloway, had been set free.

This, however, wasn’t true. Thursday, the prolongation of his detention was heard, and his lawyer and the judge responsible for this presented themselves at KIA.

All of the Public Ministry’s points against Joran were brought forth once again and if everything goes well, today the decision will come down as to whether Joran will remain in KIA or if he can go back home.

Prosecutor Kruimel also tells DIARIO that she was surprised that the false news came out that Joran had already been set free. DIARIO will continue to follow this case closely as always and bring forth any new development.

[translated by Getagrip]

After judge’s sentence, Public Ministry admits
Authorities cannot prove violent death of Holloway
Investigation of the case will continue
DIARIO Aruba
12/06/2007

ORANJESTAD (AAN) — After the judge dictated his sentence in the Holloway case yesterday, we received a press release from the Public Ministry. The release said the following: “Today, the Common Court of Justice rejected the Public Ministry’s appeal in the case against the suspects S.K. and D.K. Monday, December 3, 2007 the Public Ministry appealed the judge-commissioner’s decision of November 30, 2007 to reject the request to prolong their detention (bewaring).

The hearing of the appeal case took place yesterday, Tuesday, December 4, behind closed doors. During the hearing, the suspects D.K. and S.K. were personally present. The hearing of the appeal - minus a short pause – lasted more or less two hours, during which the interim Prosecutor-General was able to explain his reasoning as to why the Public Ministry was not in agreement with the judge-commissioner. Later, the suspects’ lawyers were able to react upon to the Public Ministry’s arguments.

In brief, the Common Court gave the following explanation: Although there has been a long and deep investigation of this case, the file against the Kalpoe brothers doesn’t have direct indications that Natalee Holloway died from an act of violence. If the current phase of the investigation - 2 ½ [years] after her disappearance – is taken into consideration, the Common Court is of the opinion that neither are there sufficient indications or objections to suspect that the brothers were involved in the crimes for which the Public Ministry requests their preventive detention.

It is not possible to appeal the decision of the Common Court. This decision as to the preventive detention doesn’t mean that the investigation cannot continue and/or that it is not possible to prosecute the suspects.

The investigation of this case will continue. In the case against J.v.d.S., Thursday, December 6, 2007, the judge-commissioner will hear the Public Ministry’s request to prolong his detention and also his lawyer’s request to terminate his preventive detention.”

This is how the Public Ministry’s press release read.

[translated by Getagrip]

Kalpoe brothers maintain their freedom
DIARIO Aruba
12/06/2007

ORANJESTAD(AAN): Wednesday afternoon, the decision came down from the court, in what relates to the Public Ministry’s appeal against Deepak and Satish Kalpoe. As it is known, these brothers, who are suspected of having something to do with the death and disappearance of Natalee Holloway, were recently detained one more time, after quite a long time of having been set free.

Recently, the judge decided that there wasn’t enough new proof to prolong the detention of the Kalpoes.

Because of this, it was decided that they be set free and last Saturday, they left the police station to go back home.

The Public Ministry wasn’t in agreement with the judge’s decision and decided to appeal.. After the case took place on Tuesday, the Hof judge sent his decision Tuesday, which stated that the Kalpoes should remain free.

Now, it must be seen if the Public Ministry has enough basis to bring a criminal case by the end of December, which is the date that they set to either bring a criminal case, or to decide that the brothers are not suspects in the case of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.

[translated by Getagrip]

During the appeal of the case against the Kalpoes, the removal of their privileges was also dealt with
DIARIO Aruba
12/05/2007

ORANJESTAD(AAN): The appeal of the case that the Public Ministry undertook against the Curacao judge’s decision to set Deepak and Satish Kalpoe free took place Wednesday morning.

Friday of last week, the judge found that there wasn’t enough new evidence to prolong the detention of the brothers, who are suspected of being involved in the death and disappearance of the young American, Natalee Holloway.

On Saturday afternoon they were set free, but now the Public Ministry indicates that they would appeal the judge’s decision.

Tuesday morning, the case, which was closed to the press, started at around 10:30 in the morning and after a short noontime pause, the case continued for one hour.

During the case, the prosecutor tried to show the judge that they have sufficient reason to put the Kalpoe brothers back in detention. During the treatment of the case, they also dealt with the issue of removal of the suspects’ privileges during their detention, such as the prohibition to read newspapers, watch television or receive visits from family and friends.

Given that the brothers are no longer locked up, this could be considered irrelevant, however the lawyers asked that this be dealt with and the judge agreed, in case the decision of the Hof is to put the suspects back in detention.

In the course of today [Wednesday], the judge will send his decision to the two parties of this case, to the lawyers.

As to Joran van der Sloot, there are big indications that today the judge will also take a decision whether his detention will be prolonged for 60 days or not. This, given that the period of his preventive detention ends Thursday.

[translated by Getagrip]

According to attorney Figaroa
Deepak is happy and more relaxed now that he’s out of detention
DIARIO Aruba
12/04/2007

ORANJESTAD(AAN): Monday, DIARIO interviewed attorney Jose Figaroa, who currently represents Deepak Kalpoe, about his client’s freedom, which he regained Friday, after which he was let go from KIA on Saturday.

According to Figaroa, after he got the good news that his client was going to be set free, he informed him about it.

Saturday at around 4:30 he went along with attorney Zeppenveld to get Satish at San Nicolas, after which they went to his house.

After this, they went to get Deepak at Shaba and brought him home. Deepak is happy and more relaxed now that he is home.

DIARIO asked Figaroa what is the status of his client’s interrogation. He said that from what he understands, they spoke with him a couple of times.

Not every day, but they did speak with him. The attorney explained that the Public Ministry appealed the decision to let Deepak and Satish go, but he still doesn’t know what day this will take place.

Figaroa explained that he maintains that they don’t have anything new to be able to lay blame on what his client is accused of. DIARIO asked if he is also monitoring the situations of the other suspect, namely Joran van der Sloot.

According to the attorney, Joran van der Sloot’s attorney asked for his client to also be set free immediately, after the decision came down as to the Kalpoe brothers.

[translated by Getagrip]

Parents Holloway in conversation with OM Aruba for hours
Amigoe.com
12/04/2007

ORANJESTAD – The parents of the disappeared American Natalee Holloway, Beth Reynolds (Twitty) and Dave Holloway have talked for hours with justice as well as with the police. They won’t comment yet on the contents of the conversations. The brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe were sent home on that same day.

The two fellow-suspects of Joran van der Sloot – all three are still being suspected of voluntary manslaughter on Natalee Holloway – were released one at a time from custody; Satish at 15:30 from the police station in Shaba and Deepak at 16:30 from the one in Noord.

The Public Prosecutor has meanwhile indicated that they will appeal the decision of the examining magistrate, who expressed his objection on extending the brothers’ custody. All three the boys, inclusive Van der Sloot, are still being considered suspects, but the objections are not enough to maintain the custody of the two brothers Kalpoe. Ariean de Bie, Van der Sloot’s lawyer thinks that his client will also be released soon. He doesn’t think that there is more material than the 12.5 pages of evidence that the lawyers received last week. “The incredible self-assurance of the investigators in Aruba about the evidence they have in the Holloway-case, surprises me”, said De Bie after the Kalpoe’s were sent home. It won’t be difficult for the lawyer to defend the case when it comes before the judge. “It will be a great effort though, because the dossier is big.”

De Bie is of the opinion that the OM has still not succeeded in the investigation. Especially the American side is according to him, totally underexposed. “Natalee Holloway has a very active mother and an arms merchant as stepfather that apparently has contacts in the White House. The FBI did some interrogations in the US, but not thoroughly enough. There are many questions to be asked on this.”

Beth Twitty question for several hours on Saturday
Kalpoe brothers set free Saturday afternoon
Public Ministry still has time to appeal
DIARIO Aruba
12/03/2007

ORANJESTAD (AAN): DIARIO was present at the San Nicolas and Shaba police stations when the two Kalpoe brothers were set free on Saturday afternoon. A decision that the judge-commissioner stationed in Curacao took after he didn’t see much new in the evidence the Public Ministry used to catch the three suspects again.

This is what the lawyers for the suspects also expressed during the interview they gave to us after they nabbed the three suspects. It seemed rather that the investigative team along with Dutch experts shook up what they already had and in so doing nabbed the three suspects with the approval of the Public Ministry.

Attorney Jose Figaroa went to the Shaba police station to pick up his client while at first it was attorney Elgin Zeppenfeld of the law firm Kock and Wix who went to pick up Deepak [Satish?] Kalpoe at San Nicolas.

At the Kalpoe family home there was a big quantity of media present awaiting their return. Now the attorney for Joran van der Sloot is also waiting on the decision the judge-commissioner will take on the prolongation of his client’s detention.

Meanwhile, Beth Twitty, the mother of Natalee Holloway, arrived in Aruba Saturday and police went to get her at a high rise hotel in Oranjestad and went with her to the police station. There she was questioned for six long hours.

This week will determine what will happen with the detention of Joran van der Sloot and if the Public Ministry will still appeal today the decision of the judge-commissioner that set the first two suspects free.

[translated by Getagrip]

Brothers Kalpoe are outside again
Chief public prosecutor Hans Mos indicated that the OM will appeal the decision of the examining magistrate to release the brothers Kalpoe from custody.
Amigoe.com
12/03/2007


ORANJESTAD – The two fellow suspects of Joran van der Sloot (20), the brothers Deepak (24) and Satish (21) are again released from custody today. The Public Prosecutor (OM) has requested an extension of the custody today, but the examining magistrate ruled against it. The OM has meanwhile announced that she will appeal this decision.

The examining magistrate says that it’s true that the current dossier of the two suspects contains serious ‘objections’ against them, but not enough to keep them longer in custody. Custody based on the current evidence is not allowed. This evidence was the wiping out of traces of a crime scene and the spiriting away of a body, said a spokesperson of the OM. The two brothers remain suspects of voluntary manslaughter or in any case, serious bodily harm that resulted in the death of Natalee Holloway.

Van der Sloot’s mother is according to reports, very happy that the two brothers are outside again, but she doesn’t know what it would mean for her son. Ten persons were arrested since the disappearance of Holloway, but nobody is officially charged yet.

Chief public prosecutor, Hans Mos finds it striking that the custody of the Kalpoe’s is not extended, while it is based on ‘almost’ the same dossier as that of Van der Sloot. “Were his objections serious enough to extend his custody? It looks like he has a different role in the case.”

Joran van der Sloot’s custody was extended with eight days early this week. An extension with 60 days will be considered late next week. The objection that his lawyer Ariean de Bie has lodged against the restrictions imposed on Van der Sloot, is meanwhile dismissed by the Common Court of the Neth.Antilles and Aruba. The restrictions were eased a little though since his arrest. He received a bible and reading matters. The request to receive visitors, like his mother, brother, a ‘different lawyer’ and friends, was dismissed. He cannot have contact with other prisoners, he cannot watch TV, he cannot make telephone calls and write letters, and cannot read current reading material, like newspapers and magazines. He is now allowed to sport under supervision.

BETH

In the meantime, the mother of Natalee Holloway, Beth Reynolds (Twitty) has arrived in Aruba. She and her former husband, Dave Holloway have a meeting with the OM today. Dave Holloway is also waiting for the arrival of a special investigation-boat to scan the seabed around Aruba again for possible traces of his daughter. The boat is expected to arrive at the end of next week and allows him to search to a three-kilometer depth. The former search action only reached a depth of 100 meters.

Common Court rejects appeal of D.K.’s Lawyer in the Holloway case
Maintains majority of restrictions against J.v.d.S.
DIARIO Aruba
12/01/2007

ORANJESTAD(AAN)—Yesterday, the Common Court of Justice decided upon two separate appeals that were handed down for the lawyers of suspects D.K. and J.v.d.S. in the Holloway case. D.K. and J.v.d.S. are suspected, along with the third suspect S.K., in the death of Natalee Holloway, or in any case, mistreatment which led to her death.

Yesterday, these appeals were dealt with behind closed doors. In the case against D.K., the judge-commissioner gave an order, upon the request of the Public Ministry, to deny the lawyers of Kock, Wix and Zeppenveldt access to the suspect D.K. for a duration of eight days. Until now, the lawyers of Kock, Wix and Zeppenveldt have represented the K. brothers as a team.

The Public Ministry asked for this order based on the suspicion that D.K. could be obtaining information related to the investigation that they have against him or that the investigation to get to the truth could be impeded.

This suspicion was based on information from police reports that support the theory that some time ago, D.K. spoke to his brother S.K. in relation to their standing in the investigation. On this basis, the Public Ministry observed that the suspects were adjusting their declarations to fit each others’. This, along with the fact that both suspects were represented by the same team of lawyers, made the Public Ministry request the order.

The judge-commissioner went along with the Public Ministry’s [legal] arguments and gave the order that the three lawyers may not visit their client D.K. The lawyers appealed this decision at the Common Court. Currently, they only represent S.K. Upon the request of the aforementioned lawyers, D.K. is being represented by another lawyer since last week.

The Common Court decided today that the order of the judge-commissioner has its place and rejected the lawyer’s appeal. In the meantime, the judge-commissioner extended the term mentioned by 8 more days. In the case against J.v.d.S. it was asked of the Common Court to alleviate the restrictions against him (no contact with people other than his lawyer, no telephone, no letters, no newspapers, no magazines and no television).

They specifically asked for visits (his mother and brother, another lawyer and friends), a bible and other reading materials, and exercise. In the meantime, KIA, upon the request of the Public Ministry, provided a bible and reading material. The Common Court rejected the appeal against the restrictions yesterday, in the interests of the investigation.

[translated by Getagrip]

Request to prolong the detention of the Kalpoe brothers has been denied
DIARIO Aruba
12/01/2007

ORANJESTAD(AAN)—Yesterday, the judge-commissioner denied the request to prolong the detention of the Kalpoe brothers.

They are suspected, along with the third suspect Joran v.d. Sloot, in the death of Natalee Holloway, or in any case, of mistreatment which brought about her death. The Public Ministry requested their detention prolonged.

The Judge-commissioner decided that the current criminal file against the suspects, in which new proof had been added recently, has enough substance to have serious objections against them, but only for actions that according to the law does not allow for preventive detention, namely destruction of clues of a crime and or disposal of a body.

The penalty that can be imposed for such crimes is not sufficient to be able to use preventive detention.

The decision of the judge-commissioner can be appealed within 3 days. During the coming days, the Public Ministry will consider this possibility.

[translated by Getagrip]

A badly informed lawyer

[English translation offered by DIARIO]

DIARIO Aruba

12/01/2007

By: Jossy M. Mansur

Once again this man, who thinks himself a star lawyer, has given various televised interviews in which he unfortunately proves that he has no control over his emotions, and uttered one nonsense after the other in angry tone he could not camouflage! What is he looking for really? Popularity? This certainly is not the way to achieve his goal!

I have an immense regard for Greta, but I can't understand why she gives this man the last word and doesn't let us confront him. Neither does she with the facts of the case, which Greta is fully aware of, I'm sure. Maybe in the US, there might be some people that are afraid of his tongue and temper, but with me, he is climbing the wrong tree!

How does a lawyer who pretends to have any class, say that what I've quoted from Joran's deposition isn't true? I again publish this document in the original Dutch, with a translation in English. This should put duct tape on Tacopina's mouth.

In the referred document, Joran said to four Aruban police officers that he thinks he might know where Natalee's body is buried, and that he thinks that Deepak went back to the beach where the girl was lying on the sand, raped and killed Natalee, and afterward buried her close to the first fishermen's hut! And he also wants to ignore a taped conversation in a police car, where the three suspects (Joran, Deepak and Satish were sitting in the back seat), trying to make his client, Joran, come out "innocent" in his confrontation with Deepak. Does this lawyer know how to read? Or is he simply dumb? Deepak said directly to Joran (and the police have this tape!): "if they find the girl, you are looking at 15 years in prison! What did he mean by that? That Joran is "innocent" or "guilty" of something that will send him behind bars for so many years? Can this big-mouthed lawyer understand this? Or does he only want to impose his street style here too? Attacking my evidence based on real facts won't help his client, and if he doesn't stop painting Joran like an angel, I'll find myself forced to publish everything we have found out about him since he was 8 years old! He is certainly no "angel", believe me!

Let Tacopina understand once and for all that I have 33 years of journalism in Aruba behind me, and that if the American media ask for my comments, it is because they are aware that I know more than Tacopina thinks! Could he possibly be trying to break my credibility with the American People, by his clownish acts on TV? I've always spoken the truth to them! I have nothing to hide from anyone. My relationship with David Kock and Ronny Wix, the defense lawyers for the Kalpoe brothers is excellent! They have the professional ethics that Tacopina lacks and a good sense in the practice of law, of that I'm sure!

In my opinion, Paulus committed a critical error when he hired Tacopina to defend Joran, because he doesn't know our environment, he is not up-to-date directly on what happened to Natalee, and all his "knowledge" seems to come from what he has read about the case. I'm sure he doesn't have half of the documents that DIARIO has. Furthermore, we have additional documents that no other media can even dream of having, and that's because we are serious journalists that respect authorities and cooperate with them when asked to do so.

I've said on Greta's show that the three suspects know very well what happened to Natalee, because they were the last ones that were with her on the night of her disappearance. Forget about the tales that from Carlos and Charlies they left her at the Holiday Inn or at the beach close to the Marriott! The story about going behind the Lighthouse to see sharks also leaves lots of doubts. There are contradicting testimonies from Joran, Deepak and Satish! Joran said that they went to his apartment from Carlos and Charlies; the Kalpoe brothers have completely denied that statement. They have declared to the police that they didn't go to that apartment! Which party is telling the truth? And Joran declared that Deepak picked him up at the beach, but Deepak denied that allegation. And then Joran said it was Satish that picked him up! But Satish also denied that he picked him up! The big question Tacopina has to answer is: How did Joran get back home that night? Did he walk? Did Paulus pick him up? Or was there someone else?

And can Tacopina explain to us how his client did the miracle of letting his shoes grow from size 11 to size 14 in one night?

These are some of the discrepancies that authorities have been investigating again, because they don't make any sense! For instance, what was the real relationship between Joran and Koen? Why did he leave the island one or two days after Natalee disappeared? Why, when Art Wood and Dave, Natalee's father, asked authorities to interrogate him, it wasn't done? Why hasn't he been interrogated so far? My reliable sources tell me that Koen knows exactly what happened that night!

If Tacopina thinks that we're not aware of ALL the details of this case, he is badly mistaken! The truth is that we honor our word and will not reveal what we know from our police and judicial sources when asked not to do so! What is said to us in trust will never be betrayed, because then we would be betraying our principles!

I hope this case goes to Court as soon as possible, and if Joran, Deepak and Satish are innocent, they will be cleared by the judge. And if one or more are guilty, this also will be determined by the evidence presented to the presiding Judge. My advice to Tacopina? Stay in the US! Your presence in Aruba will only cause more harm to Joran! Believe me!

Today Judge will decide if Deepak and Satish Kalpoe can have the same attorney
DIARIO Aruba
11-30-2007

ORANJESTAD(AAN): On Thursday, DIARIO interviewed attorney David Kock, related to the case of Natalee Holloway. According to attorney Kock, last week the Public Ministry ordered that the suspects Deepak and Satish Kalpoe to have their own attorney.

Thursday was the appeal of this decision that the attorney requested, for his office to continue to represent both suspects.

A judge from Curacao came to hear the case and attorney Kock said that he is very happy with how the hearing went.

Today the same judge will give his decision on this matter and the lawyer will find out about the decision via fax. DIARIO asked the attorney if the investigative team has spoken to his client during the past few days.

According to Mr. Kock, they did speak to them, but one could not even count on two hands to count the amount of hours they spoke with him. So they have to say what was so important to detain the suspect/

The press also asked attorney Figaroa, who represents Deepak Kalpoe, how his client is.

According to Figaroa, he is in good spirits and is very sure of himself. DIARIO asked Figaroa how his client’s interrogation is going and he said that his client has already been interrogated.

DIARIO also asked the lawyer how he sees the supposed new evidence. He said that he is also of the opinion that the evidence is not new.

They are looking at it from a new angle, but it is not new . DIARIO asked the lawyer if he went through all the case documents.

Figaroa said the old dossier has more than 2,000 pages and he has not received it still. He has received the new documents.

[translated by Getagrip]

Here we go again...?

It appears there isn't enough to solve the case of Natalee
Diario Aruba
11/28/2007

ORANJESTAD (AAN) – The investigation into the Natalee case is getting to the point where the Aruban Public Ministry and Police, with the cooperation of Dutch Police, must get solid proof in order to bring the case to Court.

At the moment, the proof that they are now presenting does not have enough weight to solve the case and to bring clarity to what really happened to Natalee. The case has taken a very negative turn for justice in the totality of the Dutch Kingdom and also badly affects Aruba’s image.

In America, there is big hope that the truth comes to light now and if this time again the investigation gets to the point where all the suspects go free and there is no case in Court, the issue of new evidence could backfire for Aruba and Holland.

Again, all attention is directed only to the three suspects because for a long time there were one or more people in Aruba who were talking [?] and came across certain people while they were partying.

Perhaps the influence of alcohol in combination with use of drugs resulted in guilty consciences? According to rumours that are going around in closed circles, there are one or more persons who were able to hear, with the help of certain maneuvers, about the case of the disappearance of Natalee and where apparently there are at least 4 more persons involved and for some strange reason this has not drawn police attention.

Does this have to do with some person who helped dispose of Natalee’s body? Who are the three people who police and the Public Ministry has to severely interrogate and if they break under pressure that would solve the case?

Sitting at a bar and close to certain people, sooner or later it gets to the ears of those who can bring key information to those who can solve the case.

On the other hand, it has already been said that there are at least three people who have key information but because of fear they have not approached the Public Ministry.

The moment has come for the Public Ministry to issue a press release where they offer anonymity and protection to all persons who can provide key information to solve the case of Natalee.

If they can give protection to those who buy fake driver’s licenses, then what is it to give protection to those who can help solve a case that has harmed all of Aruba and now even the Dutch Kingdom?

[translated by Getagrip]

More surprises in the Natalee Holloway case
Dutch authorities showed up unexpectedly at the Kalpoe brothers’ home
DIARIO Aruba
5/14/2007

ORANJESTAD(AAN): Dutch authorities, along with those of Aruba were present at the Kalpoe family home in Hooiberg, where they searched the house Saturday morning before the sun came up. At the arrival of the authorities along with prosecutor mr. Elvia Lugo they surrounded the house and then knocked at the door.

At that moment there were only three Kalpoe siblings at the house. After they were woken up, DIARIO observed that Deepak and Satish didn’t want to cooperate with authorities who arrived at their house and for what reason they were there, they put ‘boei’ [?] in their hands. In this way, they were taken out of their house and transported to the Oranjestad police station in so that the Dutch forensic team could search the house.

The female sibling sat outside while the Dutch investigative team, including the Aruban ones where going around inside. They were also keeping an eye outside.

After more than an hour of investigating the home, the Kalpoe brothers were brought back. DIARIO noted that they were visibly calmer and cooperated with the members of the Dutch police.

We saw that they were conversing after the Dutch authorities were asking some question and showed them one or another digital notebook that they had with them.

According to Vivian van der Biezen, spokesperson for the Public Ministry, this was only a house inspection.

After the case in Montaña at the van der Sloot family home there wasn’t any other cases registered for the members of the visiting team, explained the spokesperson to DIARIO.

It has then to be emphasized that the Kalpoe brothers were neither detained nor arrested on Saturday morning..

Rather, according to the spokesperson, they were 'geboei' [?] because they resisted at the moment they started the search of the house.

When the search was taking place, the father arrived in the famous Honda and after a while the mother also arrived from her work. On the photos one can see what was happening at the Kalpoe family home in Hooiberg.

[translated by Getagrip]

The Aruba T-shirt

Thank you to the people who have written to tell me they enjoyed and relied on my translations. As it is most probably obvious, I stopped doing translations. The reason? Purely a cost/benefit one.

For quite some time, there has been nothing of substance coming out of Aruba, as it relates to the Natalee Holloway investigation. Personally, I got tired of being shocked and appalled at the pettiness and small-mindeness of Aruban 'news'. I have all the information I need to confirm the conclusions I arrived at early on in the case. I will rely on the MSM for filtering the real news down to us, if there are any to report.

The way I now feel about this whole ordeal was pretty well represented by a recent incident. My mother was cleaning out her closet to give away unused clothing to the Salvation Army. Lo and behold, she found an old (but unworn) T-shirt with 'Aruba' emblazoned on it. She later told me, she got pissed off and threw it in the garbage, instead of putting it with the other clothes to give away. In the garbage. Yes. Not even good enough for someone else to wear. That sums it up for me.

I do hope that Natalee's family gets answers, if not justice, one day. I also wish that I could feel badly for the Aruban people. However, the people who have represented them, have done so badly. Or they were louder. Who knows. It's really not my problem, it's theirs.

Geoffrey van Cromvoirt evaluating whether he will sue for damages for prejudice
DIARIO Aruba
05/09/2006

AMSTERDAM - Geoffrey van Cromvoirt, in an interview with SBS 6 Actienieuws of Holland, said that he doesn’t have anything to do with the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.

The young Dutch 19 year old came into the picture after the ‘Opsporing Verzocht’ program, which was recorded in Aruba, aired.

He could have seemed to be another person in the case. Ironically, van Cromvoirt had wanted to participate in the reenactment of the case along with his sister.
“I’ve always wanted to appear on television, but not in this way”. The Dutch youth was asked via telephone to go to the police station one week after ‘Opsporing Verzocht’ aired.

When he went to the police station, he was detained immediately. The accusations were rape and murder.

According to van Cromvoirt, police officers put him under a lot of pressure when he was detained.

“They said things that were making me crazy. They said that they would arrest my whole family. Things like that can make you crazy and that same night I went completely crazy. After they took away all my clothes and left me with only my underwear.”

This, according to the Dutch youth, who continued to say that they were afraid that he would hang himself.

He said that he would never do this, and that he slept in his underwear for two long days on a cement bed.

“Geoffrey’s detention caused a lot of harm to our family. My wife is very much in despair”. This, according to Geoffrey’s father, Willem van Cromvoirt. Officially, the Dutch youth is still a suspect in this case, but the father hopes that the case will be dismissed.

Now, family lawyers are evaluating the possibility of bringing a case for damages for prejudice.

[translated by Getagrip]