Caribbean National Weekly

International arrest warrant issued for former Suriname President Desi Bouterse

By Joanne Clark··1 min read
International arrest warrant issued for former Suriname President Desi Bouterse

The Public Prosecution Service in Suriname is taking swift action against former president Desi Bouterse, as he continues to evade his 20-year prison sentence for murder. 

The authorities are now in the process of issuing an international arrest warrant for the 78-year-old ex-leader, who has failed to report to a local prison for the second time.

Bouterse’s failure to report to prison

Desi Bouterse, once a towering figure in Suriname’s political landscape, has been at the center of a high-profile legal battle since his conviction. 

On two separate occasions, he has defied court orders to present himself at the Santo Boma prison, located just south of the capital, Paramaribo. 

His initial failure to appear last Friday has left many questioning the whereabouts of the former president.

Another of the convicted men, 68-year-old Iwan Dijksteel has also failed to report to prison.

Read more on Desi Bouterse

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