ARUBA--The six suspects in the so-called "Enigma" drugs case in Aruba will remain in custody for the time being. The case had been brought before the court "pro forma" last week, but the trial was deferred until June 4.

Lawyer Ricardo Yarzagaray protested against this, as he was angry about the state of affairs, and frustrated about the delay in the trial of his client suspect Z.R. (32).

On the day of the pro forma session, the pre-trial detention extension had simultaneously been brought before the examining magistrate. A colleague of Yarzagaray had represented his client on that occasion, and therefore attended the pro forma session later on as well.

When Yarzagaray wanted to consult with his colleague on the latter's late arrival, the judge foiled his plan, as the prosecutor had just taken the floor.

The lawyer had explained why he had wanted to consult with his colleague for a moment regarding the content of the case. However, the judge did not want to hear it, and shortly afterwards decided to defer the trial.

In the subsequent discussion, emotions ran high between the prosecutor, the judge and the lawyer. Eventually, the judge called the lawyer to order.

"Okay, then I will remain silent," Yarzagaray finally answered, resentfully. The lawyer believes that the prosecution frustrated the court procedure by making improper use of the pro forma possibility.

In a reaction, the prosecution stated that the judge evaluated whether or not to have pro forma sessions. "It is not up to the lawyer, but the judge, to decide on this."

Yarzagaray said his client had been held in custody for five months already, and with the postponement of the case until June 4, the suspect might remain in custody for a total of eight months before he would perhaps be released. "What if the suspect eventually gets a prison sentence that is less than eight months?"

The suspects in the Enigma case are accused of drug-trafficking (cocaine and marijuana), money-laundering, the illegal possession of firearms and participation in a criminal organisation.