Suriname Ex-President Desi Bouterse Wanted by Authorities Following Prison No-Show

Suriname authorities are actively seeking former President Desi Bouterse after he failed to surrender himself for a 20-year prison sentence related to the 1982 murders of 15 activists, Reuters reports.

A three-judge panel in December upheld convictions against Bouterse, now 78, and four others involved in the execution of government critics, including lawyers, journalists, union leaders, soldiers, and university professors.

Suriname ex-president Desi Bouterse, a dominant political figure in Suriname for decades, left office in 2020 but denies the charges against him.

The public prosecutor's office confirmed the initiation of the process to locate those convicted in the December 8 criminal case who have not complied with the order to report to the penal institution.

Among them is Bouterse, who has consistently refuted the accusations. Another co-defendant has also failed to appear at the designated prison.

Advocates, including Sunil Oemrawsingh, president of an association representing victims' relatives, and international observers expressed little surprise at Bouterse's absence.

Reed Brody, a lawyer monitoring the case for the International Commission of Jurists, affirmed the authorities' commitment to upholding the rule of law, expecting the prompt enforcement of the arrest warrant.

Current President Chan Santokhi, who previously investigated the case as a police commissioner and later pushed for its progression as justice minister, continues to emphasize the importance of justice prevailing.

In 2019, the court determined that Bouterse had overseen an operation in which 16 leading government critics were abducted, and all but one were murdered at a colonial fortress in Paramaribo.

Suriname ex-president Bouterse, who seized power in a 1980 coup, claimed that the victims were linked to an invasion plot involving the Netherlands and the United States.

A spokesperson for Bouterse's party alleged interference from both countries, echoing similar sentiments expressed by the former president.

Legal Drama Unfolds as Desi Bouterse Evades Prison

Lawyer Irvin Kanhai, arriving at the prison in Paramaribo with two other convicted individuals, expressed his intention to speak with Desi Bouterse about his refusal to surrender, according to Devdiscourse.

"I am going to talk to him now, and then we will see what we are going to do," said Kanhai.

When asked if efforts were being made to locate Bouterse, the prosecutor's office spokesperson Joelle Zaalman declined to provide details, citing strategic considerations.

The reluctance of Bouterse to comply with the sentence did not surprise advocates and international observers.

Reed Brody reiterated his confidence in the authorities' determination to enforce the arrest warrant.

Bouterse's past claims of a politically motivated plot involving the Netherlands and the United States remain contentious.

Another individual convicted alongside Bouterse also failed to report to prison, according to the prosecutor's office.

Desi Bouterse's Defiance and Public Support

Suriname's ex-president, Desi Bouterse, at the age of 78, has announced that he will not surrender for his 20-year prison term related to the decades-old murders of political opponents, NonStop Local noted.

His wife, Ingrid Bouterse, characterized the situation as a political process and provided a political response when questioned about her husband's non-compliance.

Supporters from the country's poorer and working-class communities gathered at Bouterse's residence, expressing solidarity through singing and dancing.

Ramon Abrahams, deputy chairman of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Bouterse's party, conveyed unwavering support.

He cryptically stated that Bouterse is "between the Atlantic Ocean, the Tumuk Humak Mountains, the Courantyne River, and the Maroni River," referring to Suriname's border points.

In light of Bouterse's refusal to report to prison, Abrahams urged supporters to remain level-headed and attentive to unfolding events.

The party staunchly stands behind Suriname Ex-President Desi Bouterse, emphasizing its full support for the former president.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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