Suriname police question several people in investigation into Bouterse’s death
The police in Suriname are questioning a number of people in the investigation into the death of Desi Bouterse. Inspector Kensmil told the NOS. The police are mainly focusing on the question of who was responsible for transporting Bouterse’s body.
“We want to know how he got from an unknown location to his home in Paramaribo,” says Kensmil. “We are also interested in how the body was transported and where and when he died.”
The Surinamese police do not want to say much more about the case. “The situation is still more or less the same as when we found the remains. We also do not know anything about his state of health before he died, and I do not want to say more in order not to influence the progress of the investigation. I do not have permission to do so.”
According to the inspector, Bouterse’s body is in a police morgue. “It will probably stay there for a while, until the results of the pathological-anatomical examination are completed.”
A year without a trace
The police also want to know where Bouterse was last year. “Of course we are going to find out how he managed to stay out of our hands for a year and we are going to find out who did all kinds of odd jobs.”
A few days before Bouterse’s remains were found in his house in Paramaribo, the police raided three locations. “These were locations where we suspected he might be, but we found absolutely nothing at the time.”
Condolence register
A condolence register for Bouterse was opened in Paramaribo yesterday. It is located in the office of the National Democratic Party, which was founded by Bouterse. After signing, many visitors pose with the official portrait of Bouterse from his time as president.
It is still unclear when Bouterse’s funeral will be. According to the Surinamese news site Starnieuws, the farewell is planned for January 3 or 4.
Former army leader and ex-president Desi Bouterse was convicted last year for his role in the December murders in 1982 in Paramaribo. He was sentenced to twenty years in prison, but disappeared from the radar. In this video you can learn more about his life: