PARAMARIBO, Suriname, CMC – The main opposition National Democratic Party (NDP) says first vice-chairman, Ramon Abrahams, will take over the functions of its leader, Desi Bouterse, the former president, who has been sentenced to 20 years in prison in December last year, but whose whereabouts are now known.
The NDP, which held a general membership meeting last weekend, said that Abrahams will stay in the position until Bouterse is available. It added that the current executive’s term of office has been extended until July 2026.
The International Police (INTERPOL) has placed Bouterse on its Red Notice list nearly three months after he was sentenced to prison for murder.
The whereabouts of Bouterse, 78, remains a mystery after he first failed to keep his scheduled appointment in January to report to the prison in Santo Boma just south of the capital, Paramaribo.
In January, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) announced that it was issuing an international arrest warrant for the former president after failing to report to a local prison for a second time.
In 2017, Bouterse and 23 co-defendants appeared in the military court after the Court of Justice had earlier rejected a motion to stop the trial. The former army officers and civilians had been charged with the December 8, 1982, murders of 15 men, including journalists, military officers, union leaders, lawyers, businessmen, and university lecturers.
The prosecution had alleged that the men were arrested on December 7 and 8 nights and transferred to Fort Zeelandia, the then headquarters of the Surinamese National Army. They said the men were tortured and summarily executed.
The NDP statement said that Abrahams chaired the weekend meeting and that the statutory provisions have adjusted the internal regulations.
The most important adjustments clarify the observation in the absence of main board members. For example, it has been determined that Bouterse’s duties will be taken care of until the chairman is available again.
The meeting also approved several reports, including that of the secretary and treasurer.
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