Court upholds prison sentence for Curacao’s former leader

WILLEMSTAD, Curaçao – An appeals court in the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao has upheld the sentence of a former prime minister found guilty of corruption.

Gerrit Schotte faces three years in prison and is barred from running for office for five years. His attorney appealed Friday’s sentencing to a higher court in the Netherlands.

Schotte had been found guilty on charges including forgery and money laundering in a case where prosecutors said he received money in exchange for political favours. His longtime girlfriend also has been sentenced in the case.

Schotte was appointed prime minister in 2010 and was ousted in August 2012 after his governing coalition lost its majority.