|
Monday, March 19, 2007
In a surprising set of events, former army Chief and military dictator of Suriname, Desi Bouterse, publicly admitted to being responsible for the murder of 15 political rivals in December 1982. At the time of the killings, the Bouterse regime claimed that the victims were plotting a coup with the CIA and were trying to flea when they were shot. None of this evidence was ever made public and noone as ever been tried for the murders of the journalists, lecturers, trade unionists, lawyers, army officers and businessmen, who were tortured and executed by the regime. Now, in a startling turn of events, Bouterse, speaking at a a youth rally to mark the 27th anniversary of his coup on February 25, 1980, admitted to being "politically responsible" for the 1982 killings, also called for amnesty for the alleged suspects. Bouterse made his plea for amnesty arguing that since amnesty was granted to persons including former rebel leader Ronnie Brunswijk for their role in the civil war during the late 80s and early 90s, amnesty should also be an option for those accused 'December murders of 1982..
|
