Court Suspends Dr. Danny Dennaoui's pre-trial detention due to prison capacity constraints

GREAT BAY--The Court has granted the suspension of the pre-trial detention of Dr. Danny Dennaoui, who remains a suspect in a case involving allegations of abuse and deprivation of liberty of a domestic worker.

The decision followed a request from the Prosecutor's Office and was made amid limitations in detention capacity at the Pointe Blanche House of Detention.

The suspension is subject to conditions. Dr. Dennaoui must remain available to law enforcement and the judicial authorities when required and is prohibited from having any contact with the complainant in the case.

According to the Prosecutor's Office, detention capacity is continuously assessed in accordance with the law. When space is limited, operational decisions may be required to ensure detention capacity remains available for cases in which continued pre-trial detention is considered most necessary.

The investigation involving Dr. Danny Dennaoui and his father, Dr. Michael Dennaoui, was launched earlier this year following allegations involving the abuse and deprivation of liberty of a domestic worker. Both men have been publicly identified in local reporting as physicians connected to the St. Maarten Diagnostic Center.

The two were arrested on February 25, 2026, in connection with the investigation. Dr. Michael Dennaoui was subsequently released from pre-trial detention on medical grounds.

Following completion of the investigation, both suspects were served with indictments. The Prosecutor's Office confirmed that charges related to drug possession and money laundering are no longer part of the prosecution.

Dr. Danny Dennaoui and Dr. Michael Dennaoui remain suspects and are scheduled to appear before the Court of First Instance on September 16, 2026.

The Prosecutor's Office stressed that the suspension of Dr. Danny Dennaoui's pre-trial detention does not affect the criminal proceedings and should not be interpreted as a dismissal of the case or an assessment of the strength or merits of the evidence.

The decision relates solely to the application of pre-trial detention within the constraints of the available detention capacity.

As the case is before the Court, the Prosecutor's Office said it will not comment further on the substance of the proceedings.

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