Suspect Denies Charges in Aruba Court Case

On Monday morning, a 54-year-old Colombian man, identified by the initials C., appeared before the court stating that no rape took place involving a woman identified as H., who had been staying at his home. According to the suspect, the two had consensual sexual relations on several occasions.

The Public Prosecutor, however, maintains that C. is guilty of rape and has demanded a three-year prison sentence. Defense attorney Mr. Illes argued that there is insufficient evidence to support the accusation and asked the judge to acquit his client.

The Charges

The prosecution accuses C. of raping H. on March 14, 2024, on a massage bed at his residence. He is also accused of committing indecent acts by touching the woman’s intimate parts. During questioning, it became clear that C. and H. had known each other since late 2023, when H. arrived from the Netherlands.

H. had been staying at C.’s home. According to C., the two were involved in a romantic relationship. The court noted that H. told police they had sexual relations until the day before March 14, 2024.

C. explained that on the day in question, they had planned to go out for his birthday. H. arrived home late from work, after which he prepared a drink. They later returned home, where he allegedly gave her a massage. According to C., when he expressed interest in having sex, H. refused and left the room, after which nothing further happened.

Conflicting Statements

The judge pointed out that H. stated that despite telling C. to stop, he continued and sexual intercourse occurred, stopping only after she began crying. C. denied this version, maintaining that he never forced her.

H. filed a police report in April 2024, after C. attempted to reestablish contact. According to C., H. continued to visit his workplace after the alleged incident, which the defense cited as raising doubts.

Prosecution vs. Defense

The prosecutor argued that H.’s statements were consistent with what she told friends, who described her as emotionally distressed. According to the prosecution, C.’s own statements support parts of the victim’s account. The prosecutor therefore concluded there is sufficient evidence and upheld the three-year prison demand.

The defense countered that the case relies solely on H.’s testimony, without physical evidence of force or penetration. Attorney Illes emphasized that emotional reactions do not constitute legal proof and maintained that C. stopped immediately when told to do so.