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Suriname leader says he is victim of political game after murder conviction

Supporters of Suriname's President Desi Bouterse [not pictured), who was convicted of murder for the execution of opponents by a court in Suriname, cheer upon his arrival from China, in Paramaribo, Suriname December 1, 2019. REUTERS/Ranu Abhelakh
Supporters of Suriname’s President Desi Bouterse (not pictured), who was convicted of murder for the execution of opponents by a court in Suriname, cheer upon his arrival from China, in Paramaribo, Suriname December 1, 2019. REUTERS/Ranu Abhelakh

PARAMARIBO,  (Reuters) – President Desi Bouterse said he was victim of a “political game” when he returned to Suriname today after a court found him guilty of murder in absentia for the 1982 execution of 15 activists in the former Dutch colony.

 

The court on Friday sentenced Bouterse, who was on an official visit to China, to 20 years in prison for the murder of 15 adversaries who spoke out against his seizure of power in a February 1980 coup.

Bouterse, who has dominated Suriname’s politics in recent decades, has denied the charges. He is able to appeal the decision.

The former military officer returned to Suriname today before dawn and was greeted by a crowd of some 1,500 supporters dressed in purple, the colour of his National Democratic Party.

 

Many shouted “We want Bouta!”, his nickname, as security struggled to control them.

“The political game is played openly, so it was clear what was going to happen,” said Bouterse, 74, during a news conference at a nearby resort. “We will stay within the law and regulations. Politics needs to be answered with politics.”

He promised to consult with leaders of his National Democratic Party. Opposition parties have called for Bouterse to step down.

The military tribunal that issued the ruling has not served an arrest warrant and it remains unclear whether Bouterse will serve any jail time.

 

As a junior military officer, Bouterse took part in the 1980 coup against Suriname’s first prime minister, Henck Arron, just five years after independence from the Netherlands. He immediately promoted himself to army chief-of-staff, becoming effective ruler of the nation of 560,000 people.

Bouterse led the South American country through the 1980s as head of a military government, then assumed office again in 2010 and secured re-election five years later.

 

 

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VishMahabir posted:
ksazma posted:
Bibi Haniffa posted:

What’s this?  Double warning?

He losing he mind. 😀

naw....KP, Dave and Skeldon-Man lil slow to catch up...so dey get a headstart

Bai, don't talk about you mumma man like dat.

FM

HAHA The dumd College get me out by 2050 is expected to name the Criminals in reverse.

Mo Fiah slo Fiah, Rigging and Friggin  bunch of DUMB ASS. His assignment will be to find them and name them. If he does, he will graduate College after 40 years.

Nehru
Nehru posted:

HAHA The dumd College get me out by 2050 is expected to name the Criminals in reverse.

Mo Fiah slo Fiah, Rigging and Friggin  bunch of DUMB ASS. His assignment will be to find them and name them. If he does, he will graduate College after 40 years.

Nehru, what makes u think he's ln college?

Sheik101
Sheik101 posted:
Nehru posted:

HAHA The dumd College get me out by 2050 is expected to name the Criminals in reverse.

Mo Fiah slo Fiah, Rigging and Friggin  bunch of DUMB ASS. His assignment will be to find them and name them. If he does, he will graduate College after 40 years.

Nehru, what makes u think he's ln college?

Maybe in the cafeteria trying to hook up with someone to sell his or her papers so he can cheat?

FM

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