Liberalism at work in Aruba

[Democratic Hawk]

I don't know really. I don't have any experience of it

However, the guy in my sig is a young Dutch footballer, Robin van Persie (who plays for Arsenal - my favourite London team). He was released from custody on Monday after being held in a Rotterdam jail for two weeks on rape allegations (I believe he's innocent). He's in my sig as a message of solidarity

He was released on Monday, but remains a suspect; however, there are no restrictions on him, and he can return to the UK, so from that I think it's looking good. They will later decide whether to prosecute him or drop the case. He had been due to appear in court on Tuesday, where the prosecutor could have asked him, under Dutch law, to be detained for a further 90 days. I seem to the feeling that under Dutch law that should it go to trial it's down to the defence to prove innocence - but I could be wrong

It seems that there is no charging process as such in the Netherlands. Once a guy is accused of rape, he is seen to be charged and the process takes a number of stages at which the prosecutor has to prove they have enough evidence to continue. Thus, it seems there wasn't enough evidence to detain him

I vote neutral

I can't access the Philly article, without registering. Do you know if the Aruba suspects are being held under similar legal circumstances? That, is detained while the police continue their investigations

Dave

[Democratic Hawk]

"DemoHawk professes solidarity with rapists"

I beg your pardon. He is a 'suspect', but personally I believe he is innocent.

Van Persie has admitted being in a hotel room with his accusor, who alleges he raped her in the bathroom. He has denied any wrongdoing and told his wife that "nothing happened" and by that I take it as nothing happened consensual or otherwise

Should be face trial and be found guilty then he deserves to take the consequences. Should it transpire that he had consensual sex with his accusor (i.e. he cheated on his wife) then he deserved to sweat it out a bit. Should it transpire nothing happened, then his accusor should face prosecution for making a false allegation

Either way, I hope it's taught the daft sod a lesson. Because from where I'm sitting, had he not checked into the hotel room in the first place, it would have saved himself and his wife a lot of heartache

As you well know, I'm not exactly liberal when it comes to crime and punishment - but I think the guy is innocent because he has too much lose. His wife, £25,000 per week career, .... if you get my drift

States Rights' asked my opinion of the Dutch legal system, so I gave it

So, kindly, retract your statement

Dave

Man, I was joking...thought that was obvious...if you were running for office right now though, that sig would give your opponents good rhetorical mileage.

It suddenly dawned on me that it was a joke , which is why I removed my response.  So apologise for taking it the wrong way. Thanks all the same

Dave