PARAMARIBO – The chairman of parliament, Ashwin Adhin, does not rule out that multiple people will be stripped of their immunity...

because of the request that was delivered at parliament by the Public Prosecutor’s Office. He also told Times of Suriname that he could not confirm any names or numbers yet. “I want to read all of the documents thoroughly before I make any statements,” said Adhin who added that it is important for parliament to address the issue carefully especially given the fact that this is a constitutional procedure that involves former government officials.
Adhin told Times of Suriname that parliament officially received the documents from the Public Prosecutor’s Office last Monday and that there is a clear parliamentary route for when the Public Prosecutor’s Office can make such a request. After the documents have been reviewed, the topic will be placed on the agenda so that parliament can decide if the persons whose name is mentioned can be stripped of their immunity, making it possible to prosecuted them. “Parliament will follow the rules of the constitution,” said Chairman Adhin. Shortly after news regarding the request appeared in the media, several media houses mentioned three possible names of former ministers namely Bronto Somohardjo, Gillmore Hoefdraad and Riad Nurmohamed. However, parliament has not given any official confirmation yet. Somohardjo who was the minister of Home Affairs (BIZA) in the previous administration and who is currently a member of parliament made it clear that “I have nothing to fear with regards to the request that was made by the Public Prosecutor’s Office.” “The truth shall be revealed when the procedures are followed in parliament.”