PHILIPSBURG--The “Octopus” investigation wants to maintain its tight grasp on independent Member of Parliamen1 (MP) Silvio Matser. The Prosecutor on Thursday petitioned the Judge of Instruction, based on the Penal Code, to extend Matser’s detention for another eight days.
Matser and fellow detained suspects – E.F., R.K., and W.B. - will be presented to the Judge tomorrow, Friday, at 9:00am for a decision on their continued detention in the investigation into election fraud (vote buying) in the August 2014 Parliamentary Elections.
Matser and his fellow suspects are currently servicing their first eight-day detention that was granted by the Judge of Instruction on March 4.
While Matser stands at the centre of the investigation, there are 16 other suspects. Three, like Matser, are in the custody of the National Detectives. Seven are inmates who are incarcerated in Pointe Blanche Prison on other, unrelated offences. Six others were released after questioning, but remain suspects in the case.
Two of the suspects - E.F., and R.K. - were arrested on the same day as Matser and a third – W.B. - was arrested the next day, March 3. All four suspects are still in the custody of the National Detectives.
Meanwhile, Matser remains in restrictive custody. The Court of Appeal ruled on Wednesday afternoon not to lift the restriction.
His attorney Cor Merx was before the Court of Appeal on Tuesday with a request for the restrictive custody to be lifted and for Matser to be allowed to see other people, including his aging mother. Matser has only been allowed contact with his attorney since his arrest.
