SXMElections.com

THE HAGUE--Minister of Security and Justice Ivo Opstelten and State Secretary Fred Teeven both tendered their resignations Monday over the return of 4.7 million guilders to a convicted drug lord in 2001.

Speaking at a news conference on Monday evening, Opstelten said further investigation by his officials had led to the discovery of "digital confirmation" that showed Cees Helman had been paid 4.7 million guilders, not 1.25 million guilders as he consistently had told Parliament.

"There has been a lack of certainty about the facts surrounding that settlement and I have concluded that I must now resign," Opstelten said in a brief statement.

Teeven said his credibility had been damaged by the situation and he no longer could carry on in the job without Opstelten. Nevertheless, "there was nothing wrong with the deal," Teeven said. "It was done for people and country."

Both cabinet members of conservative People's Party for Freedom and Democracy VVD party declined to answer questions and left the room after making their statements.

The Telegraaf newspaper had reported earlier on Monday that the receipt for the payment had been found, proving that Teeven had authorised the return of 4.7 million guilders to a convicted drug dealer without the knowledge of his superior or the Tax Office. Teeven was Chief Prosecutor at the time.

Many questions remain concerning the handling of Helman "with kid gloves" and why the Justice Ministry agreed to such a lucrative deal. The deal, which was kept secret from the tax authorities, made headlines in March 2014 when Helman's lawyer at the time said his client had been paid back 5,000,000 guilders.

The Prosecutor's Office had confiscated around 5,000,000 guilders in assets from drug lord Helman, including property and jewellery. However, the department was unable to prove the assets had been obtained illegally and most of the money was returned.

Teeven agreed to the deal in "complete confidentiality" so that "national and/or international tax services and fiscal authorities" were not informed, television news show Nieuwsuur revealed earlier this month.

Television commentator Ferry Mingelen said that by resigning now, Opstelten and Teeven had avoided difficult questions during a debate that was scheduled for today, Tuesday.

The resignations come just nine days before provincial elections, in which the ruling VVD/Labour PvdA coalition is set to lose considerable support.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he had no choice but to respect the two men's decisions to stand down. "The cabinet is losing two driven professionals," he said.