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Protest against the commentary on Aruba and Twitty’s expressions

ARUBA – Yesterday afternoon, a group of angry citizens congregated in front of the court building protesting against the American media commentary about Aruba, and against the statements of Beth Twitty, mother of the disappeared Natalee Holloway.

The demonstrators carried signs with texts like ‘Stop bad press coverage’ and ‘Natalee, where are you – still in Aruba?’ indicating that Holloway might have run away. A very emotional Twitty told the media in a press conference earlier that day that she is positive that the two released criminals are involved with the disappearance of her daughter. She fears that the two boys might leave the island now that they are free to walk around on the island. Satish’s lawyer, Elgin Zeppenfelt calls the statements of Twitty ‘damaging, provocative, slanderous, and terrible’. “An impartial judge had ordered the release of my client on July 4th. He decided that the suspicions and the judicial principles for his detention were no longer there. Under the Aruban legislation, same as in all other civilized countries, a person is innocent until proven guilty in court.” He emphasized that Satish has always insisted that he is innocent and he has fully cooperation with the investigation. The lawyers of the two brother indicated that the Family Kalpoe had cancelled a planned vacation to Surinam, just to avoid that people would say that they are fleeing Aruba.

Joran van der Sloot lodges an appeal

ARUBA – Joran van der Sloot will lodge an appeal against the decision to keep him behind bars for another 60 days. Also the Public Prosecutor will probably appeal the decisions of the examining magistrate, which means that also the Court of Appeals will have to consider the question whether the brothers Kalpoe were erroneously released.

The three judges of the Court of Appeals will probably decide on this this coming Friday.

If the Court of Appeals decides that the complaints and grounds to keep Joran detained are still in place, they will confirm the opinion of the examining magistrate. But the Court can also nullify the decision of the examining magistrate and in that case, Joran will be released. The Court can also confirm the decision and change the detention period to one to four weeks. In that case the Court determines what has to be done in that period and at the end of it, the Court will decide whether to extend the detention or not. The OM will appeal the release of the brothers Kalpoe. They still consider the two brothers as suspects. The OM can also appeal the cancellation of Joran’s restrictions on receiving visitors, reading newspapers and allowing his lawyers to be present at his interrogations.

Official Statement On The Disappearance Of Natalee Holloway

Updated: July 6, 2005

In response to the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, the Government of Aruba and the Aruba Tourism Authority pledge their full support and cooperation to Ms. Holloway’s family.

A thorough investigation has been underway for several weeks now with the support of both local and international authorities. The massive island-wide search is taking place on land and sea. Both the FBI and Dutch police have sent in experts to work in conjunction with local law enforcement authorities. Currently, Texas EquuSearch, a non-profit organization from the U.S., whose purpose to provide volunteer horse mounted search and recovery for lost and missing persons, are also on island aiding in the search for Natalee. The Dutch Marines, Aruba Search and Rescue Teams and Coast Guard, who have provided helicopters to search from the air, have provided additional assistance. Concerned Aruban citizens have also joined the national search efforts along with Americans residing on the island and tourists.

This comes as a shock to Aruba where crime against tourists is almost non-existent. Aruba is one of the safest islands in the Caribbean and a favorite amongst travelers with a repeat visitor rate of 40%, the highest of any Caribbean destination.

The island extends its sincerest thoughts and prayers to Ms. Holloway’s family and friends for a positive outcome.

About Aruba:

- Aruba is one of the only islands in the Caribbean with US pre-clearance facilities (Customs and Immigration) at Queen Beatrix International Airport Aruba.

- Thousands of visitors, about 40%, from around the world return to the island each year, in fact 30% of Aruba’s room inventory are timeshare units.

- Aruba has one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean with an average income of US $22,000 (Central Bank of Aruba, 2004).

- The island has a literacy rate of 97% (Central Bank of Aruba, 2004).

- Aruba’s unemployment rate is 7% (Central Bank of Aruba, 2004).