INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Desi Bouterse, the former president of Suriname, has defied a 20-year prison sentence for his involvement in the 1982 massacre.This decision
Suriname, where the military government under army chief Desi Bouterse killed 15 prominent citizens, including journalists and lawyers.His
wife, Ingrid Bouterse, has called the trial politically motivated, asserting a political response to the sentence.Desi Bouterse himself
political landscape, influenced by military and political conflicts.Bouterse briefly stepped down in 1987 amid international pressure but
returned to power in 1990 through another coup.He was elected president in 2010, serving a decade until 2020
His trial began in 2007, leading to a 2019 conviction in absentia, upheld in 2020.The Justice Ministry is arranging a particular cell for
Bouterse in the Suriname Military Hospital complex.While some convicts have surrendered, Bouterse and his former bodyguard remain at large
Bouterse called for calm among his followers, aiming to endure until the 2025 elections.He cautioned against potential unrest, highlighting
influence and divided public opinion illustrate the complex legacy of leaders in countries with histories of military rule and political
strife.His case underscores the challenges in establishing accountability for past abuses while advancing towards stable, democratic
