WILLEMSTAD – Lawyers representing former parliamentarian and KEM party leader Michelangelo “Low” Martines began his defense today against five serious charges of drug trafficking and money laundering. The defense is focusing primarily on the disputed SKY phone messages.

Last week, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) presented the charges and demanded an eight-year prison sentence for the ex-MP.

Five Charges

The first charge concerns the alleged possession of 20 kilograms of cocaine, which Martines is accused of transporting from Panama to the Netherlands. The second involves the transport of 100 kilograms of cocaine from Panama to Belgium.

The third charge claims that between 2019 and 2020, Martines prepared and shipped drugs from Panama to France, Belgium, or Spain. The fourth centers on photos of narcotics found on his phone in 2023.

The fifth charge alleges money laundering through underground banking, involving multiple sums: €1 million, €200,000, €135,000, €35,000, and 10,000 guilders.

SKY Messages as Evidence

The prosecution is relying heavily on encrypted communications obtained from the SKY messaging system. Prosecutors claim Martines was directly involved in drug trafficking within a triangle linking Curaçao, Panama, and the Dominican Republic.

The officer of justice stated that Martines’ voice was recognized in conversations, and showed images of bags of drugs and aircraft compartments allegedly used to conceal them. According to the OM, SKY even had access to Martines’ Facebook account.

Martines Denies All Allegations

Martines has denied all charges, stating he has no knowledge of the SKY platform. He claims that someone used his name, “Low de Antiliaan,” to frame him. When questioned about the SKY system, he exercised his right to remain silent, leaving responses to his lawyers.

100-Page Defense Filing

Today, defense attorneys Eldon “Peppie” Sulvaran and Anthony Vaders presented a defense exceeding 100 pages. They aim to prove that the information obtained from the SKY system was acquired illegally and should not be admissible in court.

The trial is expected to continue in the coming weeks, with the outcome closely watched both locally and internationally given the scope of the allegations.