06/08/2025
Olivier Arrindell Shooting: Guadeloupe Prosecutor Says Case Remains Under Tight Investigation
The 2024 shooting of political figure Olivier Arrindell, which left his wife Sabine dead and sparked outrage across Sint Maarten, continues to unfold as a complex, cross-border legal matter. Nearly a year later, officials in Guadeloupe and Sint Maarten remain tight-lipped about the probe — but signs of movement are emerging.
Arrest Made, But Few Details Confirmed
A French national is currently in custody in Guadeloupe in connection to the case. This was confirmed by Deputy Prosecutor Alexandra Onfray, who described the situation as “sensitive and complicated.” She explained that revealing too much could risk interfering with ongoing procedures.
The suspect was arrested on July 22, 2024, just five days after the Cupecoy-area shooting. His request for release before trial was denied. However, Onfray did not say whether he acted alone or if other suspects remain at large.
Diplomatic Red Tape Slows Progress
Investigators on both sides of the Dutch–French divide are working together. But due to Sint Maarten’s non-EU status, legal cooperation follows a slower path. All requests for evidence and statements must pass through formal diplomatic channels, rather than the direct routes used in European jurisdictions.
According to Onfray, that adds delays. Especially now, as new Dutch-side officials have taken over, forcing prosecutors to restart parts of the process with a fresh team.
Who Will Hold the Trial?
Because the main suspect is French, the trial will likely take place in Guadeloupe’s Assize Court, the only court in the region with jurisdiction to try French nationals in criminal cases. Officials note that if others from different countries are involved, they could face charges in Sint Maarten.
Vice Prosecutor Burnichon in Sint Maarten acknowledged that a timeline remains unclear. Meanwhile, Prosecutor Caroline Calbo in Pointe-à-Pitre has taken over the case management on the French side.
French Law Blocks Extradition
Even though the crime occurred on Sint Maarten soil, French law forbids extradition of its own citizens. That means even a conviction in Guadeloupe would have to happen there—regardless of where the shooting took place.
Was the Shooting Politically Motivated?
Arrindell insists this was no random act. In his first interview after the hospital release, he called the attack “a poorly executed assassination attempt” ahead of the August 19, 2024 snap election. He believes it was designed to silence him and derail his political campaign.
So far, prosecutors have declined to confirm or deny political motives. They are also not revealing whether digital, financial, or political evidence supports that theory.
What Happens Next?
With courts on both sides still building the case, a trial date remains elusive. The slow pace of the French legal system, combined with international logistics, could stretch the process well into 2026.
But political observers in Sint Maarten are watching closely. If this case indeed links back to political motives, it could have major implications for election security, opposition safety, and cross-border justice within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
