Aruban Authorities Demand Harsh Punishment for Former Minister Amid Embezzlement Charges

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The Public Prosecution Service in Aruba has made a bold request to hold former Minister of Infrastructure and current parliamentarian Benny Sevinger accountable for his alleged misdeeds. According to the prosecution, Sevinger is guilty of multiple counts of bribery, fraud, abuse of position, money laundering, and embezzlement during his tenure as minister between 2009 and 2017.

Demands Made by Public Prosecution Service

• A five-year prison sentence for Sevinger
• Revocation of Sevinger’s right to stand for election
• Prohibition on holding any public office for a period of ten years (maximum penalty allowed)
• Initiation of confiscation procedure, requiring Sevinger to pay more than 900,000 Aruban florins

The prosecution alleges that as a minister, Sevinger frequently accepted bribes and deliberately caused harm to both his country and its citizens.

The “Avestrus” Case

Sevinger is currently on trial for the high-profile “Avestrus” case. The allegations center around claims that he sold government land to businessmen in exchange for monetary gains, services, and goods. Despite being incarcerated at the time, Sevinger was released from prison to take his parliamentary seat after winning more than 1600 preferential votes in the July 2021 elections as a member of the AVP party.

This move has sparked controversy, with many questioning how someone accused of such serious crimes could be allowed to continue holding public office. The prosecution’s demands are seen as an attempt to restore justice and ensure that Sevinger is held accountable for his actions.