Case Fails Due to Victim-Detective Relationship

A criminal case involving human trafficking and domestic violence has been declared a failure by the courts ‘failed’ because of a sexual relationship between the police detective investigating the case and the victim in the case. Nu.nl reported that the court in The Hague decided that the public prosecution office, Openbaar Ministerie (OM), was not allowed to continue the prosecution of 25-year-old Elano V. The OM disagreed, and appealed. The victim, a 21-year-old woman, reported several cases of domestic violence last summer. Later she also told the police that Elano had forced her into prostitution. The detective on the case started a relationship with the woman. The OM said that the evidence was strong enough even if the material that the detective collected were ignored, enough evidence would remain convict the suspect for domestic violence. However, the court decided to prohibit the prosecution, and ordered the suspect's release.