Murder for Hire suspect gets 25 years in Curacao politician's death

The Curacao court convicted Burney F. and sentenced him to 25 years in prison for ordering the assassination of politician Helmin Wiels. The court considers it proven that F. gave the gunman the order to kill Wiels, NOS reports.

F. is currently imprisoned in the Netherlands for drug trafficking and money laundering. He 'attended' his trial on Curacao via a video stream. The court convicted F. based largely on statements by gunman Elvis K., who is currently serving life in prison in the Netherlands for his role in the assassination.

The court believes that Helmin Wiels assassination was motivated by his interference in the gambling sector on Curacao and Sint Maarten - he accused the sector of fraud and tax evasion. F. was given a high sentence because the assassination of a political party leader and public representative by definition causes irreparable damage to the democratic process, according to the court.

F. will serve at least the first part of his sentence in the Netherlands, because his safety can not be guaranteed on Curacao, according to NOS. That is also why K. is imprisoned in the Netherlands.