The RdA irregularities investigation is awaiting a judicial decision after the Government of Aruba formally challenged a decision not to proceed with a criminal investigation into alleged irregularities at Refineria di Aruba.
Justice Minister Arthur Dowers confirmed that the government submitted a formal complaint after receiving information pointing to possible irregularities involving RdA.
According to Dowers, the complaint was filed with the Public Prosecutor’s Office for evaluation.
The minister said prosecutors later informed the government that they would not proceed with an investigation, citing limited operational capacity.
Dowers emphasized that the decision whether to investigate initially belongs to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
However, he explained that Aruba’s legal system provides a mechanism for a complainant to ask a judge to review such a decision and request that an investigation be ordered.
According to Dowers, the government has now taken that step.
“We are now waiting for the judge’s decision regarding the request to instruct the Public Prosecutor’s Office to proceed with the investigation,” the minister said.
Dowers expressed concern that staffing or capacity limitations could prevent potentially important matters from being investigated.
At the same time, he stressed that the government respects the independence of judicial institutions and will await the court’s decision.
The RdA irregularities investigation therefore remains unresolved, with the next step depending on whether the judge decides that prosecutors should be instructed to continue examining the allegations.
