PHILIPSBURG:--- The Civil Registry employee who was arrested by the National Detectives (Landsrecherche) under the direction of the Prosecutor’s Office Sint Maarten has been released following six hours of interrogation. SMN News has learned that the employee was interrogated without her legal representative present. The civil servant is suspected of accepting payments in exchange for improperly advancing appointment times for government services.
The employee was released on Monday, but the Prosecutor’s Office has yet to issue an official announcement regarding the case. The investigation remains ongoing.
The Civil Registry Department provides essential public services, including the registration of births, deaths, marriages, and divorces, the issuance of official certificates, passport and identification card applications, address changes, and updates to personal records. Many of these services require appointments, which are intended to ensure fair and equal access for all citizens.
The National Detectives specialise in investigating criminal activities within the government, with a particular focus on civil servants.