~Wednesday Court Ruling Rejects Majority of Bribery Claims Against Brison; Appeal Expected.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The highly watched “Lissabon” corruption case took a major and unexpected turn today, Wednesday, after the Court of First Instance rejected most of the bribery allegations brought against former Member of Parliament Rolando Brison.

In a ruling handed down this morning, the Court found that two of the three alleged bribery scenarios could not be proven. Only one allegation was upheld, leading to a six-month prison sentence, temporary loss of passive voting rights, and an order to repay approximately US$8,000 in gifts.

The verdict is expected to be appealed.

Major Blow to Prosecution Narrative

For years, the Prosecutor’s Office portrayed the Lissabon case as a serious public corruption matter involving bribery, political influence, and cryptocurrency-linked dealings. But after a lengthy investigation and trial, today’s judgment significantly narrowed those claims.

The Court’s rejection of most allegations is already viewed by many as a setback for prosecutors who publicly advanced a much broader corruption narrative than what was ultimately proven in court.

Millions Spent, Questions Rising

The case was investigated with support from Kingdom-backed anti-corruption structures tied to the TBO (Taskforce Bestrijding Ondermijning) and related enforcement units funded by the Dutch government.

Those programs receive substantial annual funding aimed at combating organized crime and corruption across the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.

Now that most charges were not proven, critics are asking a direct question: How much public money and manpower were spent on the Lissabon case for such a limited result?

No official breakdown has yet been released detailing the cost of investigators, forensic experts, crypto analysis, surveillance, or trial preparation connected to this prosecution.

Crypto Evidence Debate Returns

Attention is also returning to the prosecution’s use of blockchain and cryptocurrency evidence during trial proceedings.

Observers noted disputes during the case about whether investigators fully understood certain crypto transactions. With the majority of claims now dismissed, that aspect of the prosecution strategy is likely to face renewed scrutiny.

Appeal Battle Next

Because the verdict will be appealed, today’s ruling is not the final chapter. The appeals court may uphold, modify, or overturn the decision.

But as of this Wednesday afternoon, one reality is clear: the sweeping corruption case many expected did not materialize.

Instead, today’s judgment has turned the spotlight back onto the Prosecutor’s Office itself — and whether one of Sint Maarten’s most prominent corruption prosecutions was overreached from the start.

~Judge clears major crypto-linked bribery allegations but sentences MP to six months in prison over a separate Dijkhoff case~

PHILIPSBURG:---  In one of the most closely watched political corruption cases in recent years, Member of Parliament Rolando Brison won acquittals on two major bribery allegations after the Court of First Instance ruled prosecutors failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that several alleged payments, crypto transfers, hotel benefits, and business dealings were corrupt gifts.

The court rejected allegations tied to businessmen Robbie A. Dos Santos and Sunil L. Gehani that they had given bribes in excess of $90,000, accepting that prosecutors had not disproven Brison’s explanation that several financial transfers were linked to cryptocurrency transactions rather than bribery. Those findings represented a major partial legal victory for Brison in the most serious and widely debated parts of the case. Therefore, this major part of the case led to an acquittal.

However, in the same ruling delivered on 29 April 2026, the court found that bribery was proven in a separate matter involving businessman Johan Alexis Dijkhoffz, concluding that Brison accepted benefits, including money and airline tickets, in exchange for improperly favoring him while serving in public office. Brison was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, ordered to repay approximately US$8,000, and barred for five years from standing for election or serving as a civil servant.

A Split Verdict After Years of Scrutiny

Prosecutors alleged Brison had been “passively bribed” between 2018 and 2024 by three individuals:

• J.A. Dijkhoffz
• R.A. Dos Santos
• S.L. Gehani

After reviewing the evidence, the court ruled:

• Bribery not proven regarding Dos Santos
• Bribery not proven regarding Gehani
• Bribery proven regarding Dijkhoffz

That made the case both a partial acquittal and a criminal conviction.

CRYPTO TRANSFERS BECAME CENTRAL TO THE ACQUITTALS

Some of the prosecution’s most publicized allegations involved more than US$10,000 in transfers linked to Dos Santos through a Melkar prepaid account.

Brison and Dos Santos both maintained that the transactions were cryptocurrency exchanges, in which dollars were sent and crypto assets transferred in return.

The court pointed to several factors supporting that explanation:

• Dos Santos gave the same explanation as in his first police interview
• Messages referenced Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash
• Brison possessed crypto-related cards and wallets
• Evidence showed prior involvement in crypto activity

Because prosecutors failed to disprove that version beyond a reasonable doubt, the court ruled the transfers could not be classified as bribes.

COURT: DEFENDANT DOES NOT HAVE TO PROVE INNOCENCE

The judges emphasized that Brison did not have to prove his version of events.

Once a plausible alternative explanation existed, the burden remained on prosecutors to disprove it. In the Dos Santos and Gehani allegations, the court found they did not do so.

WHY WAS BRISON STILL CONVICTED

Despite the acquittals, the court found that Brison accepted benefits from Dijkhoffz, including money and airline tickets, and improperly favored him in return. Brison's defense stressed that these were standard exchanges between longtime friends, as they were small in amount, including lunches, dinners, and travel.

That conduct was ruled to be criminal bribery by a public official.

However, this is still far from the 24 months requested by the prosecutor, underscoring why this was a major blow to their case, given the substantial resources and funding that must have gone into convicting Brison.

SENTENCE: JAIL, REPAYMENT, POLITICAL BAN

The court imposed:

• 6 months imprisonment
• repayment of approximately US$8,000
• 5-year ban from standing for election
• 5-year ban from serving as a civil servant

Dijkhoffz was sentenced to 4 months' imprisonment.

Click here for the Official Court Verdict.

~Over 3,500 inhabitants to sit down to 76 Freedom Meals in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands~

Willemstad:---  Freedom will be celebrated all across the Caribbean part of the Dutch Kingdom on 5 May. On Curaçao, a Freedom Meal will be held at Fort Amsterdam, with the Royal Netherlands Air Force Orchestra and an opportunity to chat to the Governor during the meal, while hundreds of visitors will come together for a community meal on Bonaire. The meals on Saba will take place across the island, from a school to a home for the elderly. Together, these initiatives show how freedom is celebrated in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Ceremonial Freedom Meal at Fort Amsterdam on Curaçao
On Curaçao, the Freedom Meal will have an especially ceremonial feel to it. A large-scale Freedom Meal will be held in the presence of the Governor, next to Fort Amsterdam in the heart of Willemstad.
The occasion will be opened by the Orchestra of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, which will play from the Fort’s balcony – an impressive moment that will literally and figuratively make freedom heard. At the tables, spoken word performer Melanta Ayon will oversee conversations using trilingual dialogue cards, allowing everyone to participate, regardless of their language or background.
Visitors will also be able to view an exhibition on the Second World War in the Caribbean part of the Dutch Kingdom. The Freedom Meal will take place between 5pm and 8pm on 5 May and is open to all.
Sit down to a meal on 5 May
All over the Dutch Kingdom, people will come together on Liberation Day to celebrate freedom. In 2026, this will happen during 1,500 Freedom Meals. Seventy-six of these will be held in the Caribbean part of the Dutch Kingdom. From Aruba to St. Eustatius, during the Freedom Meals on 5 May conversations will centre around freedom - or the lack of it - and unity.
Growing tradition at Terra Cotta Ranch on Bonaire
Terra Cora Ranch on Bonaire will hold its fifth Freedom Meal this year. The event has grown in popularity each year and attracted 150 visitors this year. Attendees will have the opportunity to talk to each other during an extended Freedom Meal with live music and speeches. The meal will take place between 12.00pm and 3.30pm on 5 May and is open to the public.
Whole of Saba to take part
Saba will host no fewer than six Freedom Meals in different parts of the island. From a school to a home for the elderly and a Sit-down meal open to all: young and old will come together to eat and talk to each other. Alongside the meals, there will also be showings of films on the Second World War in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, while trilingual dialogue cards will help get conversations started.
Library on Aruba encourages open dialogue on 5 May
Visitors will come together to enjoy a Freedom Meal open to the public at Aruba’s library on 5 May. With Freedom Soup and conversations about freedom, the meal - organised by Lieverds Leescafé – will form an easy-access place to connect and exchange ideas.
Conversations about law and freedom on Sint Maarten
In a setting in which people work daily to uphold the law and freedom, participants will talk about themes such as democracy, peace and human rights. The Court of Justice on Sint Maarten is organising this Freedom Meal for its employees.
Freedom Meal connecting people in the garden on Sint Eustatius
The Chamber of Commerce will hold a Freedom Meal open to the public in its garden on Sint Eustatius. Visitors can sit down to a light lunch and Freedom Soup from midday, where the emphasis will be on meeting and talking to others.
There are several options for open-seat tables to attend on May 5th which you can find here.
All the Freedom Meals in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands can be found on the Freedom Meal Map.
The Freedom Meals are an initiative of the National Committee for 4 and 5 May in association with Vfonds.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  Collective Prevention Services (CPS), is advising residents and visitors to take proactive measures to prevent dehydration and protect themselves from excessive sun exposure during Carnival 2026.

With many events taking place outdoors, including parades and shows, the public is encouraged to stay hydrated and practice sun safety throughout the celebrations.

Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in, disrupting the balance of essential minerals and affecting normal bodily functions. Warm weather, physical activity, and prolonged exposure to the sun increase the risk of dehydration.

CPS is urging the community to drink plenty of water before, during, and after attending Carnival activities, especially when spending long hours outdoors.

Water plays a vital role in maintaining overall health, making up more than two-thirds of the human body. It supports digestion, regulates body temperature, flushes out toxins, and keeps the body functioning efficiently.

Early signs of dehydration include thirst, dizziness, fatigue, dry mouth, dark-colored urine, and reduced urination. If not addressed, dehydration can become serious and may require medical attention.

Certain groups are more vulnerable to dehydration, including infants, young children, older adults, individuals with chronic health conditions, and persons engaging in prolonged physical activity.

CPS advises parents and caregivers to pay special attention to children, ensuring they drink enough fluids and take breaks from the sun.

In addition to staying hydrated, CPS is emphasizing the importance of sun protection during outdoor events. Residents are encouraged to wear lightweight, light-colored clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses to shield themselves from direct sunlight.

The use of sunscreen with a high SPF is strongly recommended, with reapplication every two hours, especially after sweating. Whenever possible, individuals should seek shade and limit direct sun exposure during peak hours.

CPS reminds the public that prevention is key to enjoying a safe and healthy Carnival season. If you or your child show signs of dehydration or heat-related illness, consult a healthcare provider promptly.

By staying hydrated and protecting yourself from the sun, you can fully enjoy the festivities while safeguarding your health.