Dutch Caribbean Legal Portal

Head of RST: No large-scale illegal wiretapping practices

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Published on Sunday, 27 May 2012 11:20

WILLEMSTAD - Wim van Vemde, head of the Criminal Investigation Team (RST) disclaims all accusations that the organization had wiretapped citizens and politicians illegally and on a large-scale, as mentioned in a letter from Chairman of the Parliament Ivar Asjes (PS) to the Committee of Justice of Parliament.

According to Van Vemde, the RST observes the law.In his letter to the Committee of Justice, Asjes suggests conducting a parliamentary inquiry into the functioning of the Intelligence Service Netherlands Antilles (VNA) and successor the Intelligence Service Curaçao (VDC). Asjes also suggests that the inquiry includes investigation methods of the Public Prosecutor and the accusation that ‘RST had wiretapped conversations from politicians and citizens on a large scale, against the statutory regulations – with or without the knowledge of the UTS-director’.

Van Vemde disclaims all accusations. “We always observe the law. There’s no question that we wiretapped citizens and politicians illegally or for that matter on a large scale. We only wiretap suspects and this is done with permission of the examining magistrate. I don’t even know the director of UTS and I regret it had happened this way.” However, the head of RST emphasized to respect Asjes’ democratic right to ask any questions. “That’s how it works in a democracy and I respect that.”
 
The head of the RST further regrets that suggestive insinuations about the RST were disclosed and presented as conclusions. He pointed out that this often happens. According to Van Vemde, who emphasized that the RST is not an extension of the VDC, his organization does a lot of good work for the local society. He regrets that this isn’t always made public.