The Suriname Public Prosecutor’s Office reiterated its demand for a 20-year prison sentence against former President Desi Bouterse, who is on trial on appeal for the murder of 15 opponents in 1982. Acting Attorney General Astrid Niamat argued that the sentence should be upheld due to the “violence” and “atrocity” of the crimes committed. However, Bouterse came out of the hearing looking relaxed and joking with the press.
The prosecutor insisted on the need for justice, as she believes that Bouterse murdered the 15 victims with extreme violence and that he has shown no remorse and has not taken responsibility for his actions. Faced with the possibility of arrest, Bouterse responded ironically and stated that he has witnessed impossible things that have become possible in recent days.
The 77-year-old former dictator defended his innocence and argued that the prosecution does not understand how the case really happened and is trying to present it in a distorted way. His lawyer had sought his acquittal in March, arguing that it would be an act of wisdom and patriotism to end the trial.
Bouterse was sentenced in 2019 to 20 years in prison for the December 1982 killings but has remained at large due to pending legal appeals. Interpol issued a warrant for his arrest in 1999 for cocaine trafficking, but his status as a leader protected him from extradition.
The justice system is due to issue its decision in the second half of the year after a hearing held at the end of July. Bouterse, who led two coups d’état, was president of Suriname from 2010 to 2020.