Process of the murders committed in December: Bouterse can speak but he is uncertain

According to the parents' lawyer, Hugo Essed, it would be wise for Bouterse to present the alleged retort . "Do not use the last word is usually a strategic mistake, because it contributes to the plausibility of the assertions of the prosecutor," wrote Essed in an article submitted on the news site Starnieuws. "The suspect gives at least the appearance that there is nothing to his advantage to say."

During the sessions, Bouterse 's lawyer repeatedly reiterated that his client had not received a fair trial. Bouterse himself has used several times outside the courtroom to deny his involvement in the murders. "Now he can defend himself in the place that really matters in this case: the courtroom," said the lawyer.

Essed can not be predicted. "It will take time for the war court to list all the information that has been going on over the last 18 years and to make a careful judgment." I expect it to be a matter of months rather than weeks. the first half of 2019. "

Appeal

This judgment is probably not yet complete.If Bouterse is found guilty, he should appeal and if he is acquitted, it is plausible that the Crown does not leave it on it.

Is it really smart that Bouterse will appeal In 2020, there will be elections again and the question is to know if it is He is still president, and does not his presidency give him much more opportunity to bring forth the dance? "" It's not an issue. "It is annoying for the Republic of Suriname that the main suspect of murder case is also the president of the country, but for the decision to be taken in this criminal case, the fact that you are head of state or not matters little. all other Surinamese. "

Can he have any influence on the content or timeliness of the judicial process?" No, "says Essed." From a legal point of view, this is not a good thing and we are reasonably optimistic because the rule of law has been upheld in recent years, despite various attempts by politicians to sabotage the process. "It is the trial of the century judicial case that will answer the question whether Suriname is a constitutional state or not. "