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SUR | Dec 20, 2023

Suriname court upholds ex-president’s conviction in activist murders

/ Our Today

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Former Suriname president Desi Bouterse speaks during a news conference after the Court Martial of Suriname confirmed a 20-year jail sentence for his involvement in the murder of 15 people while he ruled in 1982 during his military government, in Paramaribo, Suriname August 31, 2021. REUTERS/Ranu Abhelakh

PARAMARIBO (Reuters): A three-judge panel in Suriname on Wednesday upheld the conviction of former President Desi Bouterse for his role in the December 1982 execution of 15 people in the former Dutch colony.

Bouterse, 78, who dominated Suriname’s politics for decades and left office in 2020, has denied the charges. This was his final possible appeal and he has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The court ruled in 2019 that Bouterse oversaw an operation in which soldiers abducted 16 leading government critics, including lawyers, journalists, union leaders, soldiers and university professors from their homes.

Fifteen of them were murdered at a colonial fortress in capital Paramaribo. One trade union leader survived and gave testimony against Bouterse.

“Those who sought justice had angelic patience,” court president Dinesh Sewratan said as he read the judgment.

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Desi Bouterse conviction Suriname justice system Suriname politics

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