PHILIPSBURG:--- Former Member of Parliament F.R., who is currently serving a 20-month prison sentence for bribery and abuse of
office in the “Emerald” case, will remain in detention to also serve an additional sentence following a recent judgment of the Supreme Court (Hoge Raad).
The new verdict relates to the separate criminal investigation known as “Aquamarine”, in which F.R. was convicted for accepting bribes and abusing his
position as a Member of Parliament. The case concerned corrupt conduct during the period 2013–2019, including the acceptance of payments from private companies in
exchange for political influence over government contracts within the telecommunications sector.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court rejected all remaining grounds of appeal. This means that the conviction and sentence in the Aquamarine case have now become
final and irrevocable. As a result, F.R. was formally informed that he will continue to serve his current detention in order to also execute the sentence imposed in this
case. The prison term is 19 months.
F.R. has been incarcerated since March 2025 following his conviction in the Emerald investigation, which concerned bribery and abuse of office in connection with
harbour dredging projects, and resulted in a five-year disqualification from holding public office.
Together, the Aquamarine and Emerald cases form part of a broader series of corruption investigations into the misuse of public office for private gain. The courts
have consistently ruled that financial inability, tax payments, or former political status do not exempt individuals from criminal accountability or from repaying the
proceeds of crime.
The Prosecutor’s Office stated that the enforcement of these sentences underlines a fundamental principle: those who abuse positions of public trust will be held
accountable, and judicial decisions will be fully executed.
