Criminal Liability of Political Decision-Makers in the Netherlands

Dutch criminal law does not provide for criminal liability for a political decision-maker who decides to build a bridge, if thereafter the project runs out of control or the bridge appears not to justify the funds spent on the project. This is most probably even the case if the decision-maker knew or suspected beforehand that there would be a budgetary overrun. Multiple offences, however, cover behaviour that could be related to the maladministration of such a project, such as embezzlement or forgery of documents. Nevertheless, there exists a public office offence of acting contrary to laws or... Mehr ...