PARAMARIBO – The prosecutor is reportedly sticking to the demand of 15 years in prison against 7 police officers who are on trial for gunning down 2 men when a riot broke...

out at the Amerindian village of Pikin Saron. On April 7th the judge decided to resume the trial with the response of the Public Prosecutor’s Office. RA, JK, KL, SW, KvB, SdJ and RW are on trial for shooting Wolfjager and Dijksteel dead on May 2nd, 2023. RA was the only defendant who did not show up in court on April 7th. The prosecutor made it clear that there would be no chance in the demand of 15 years in prison. The defense attorney also made it clear that she would stick to her plea. The trial has evidently reached a crucial phase as the defendants will be given the opportunity to address the court one last time. This trial puts the actions of the police in Pikin Saron in the spotlight. The Public Prosecutor’s Office has also lodged an appeal in the case against the citizens who were involved in the acts of violence that took place. MMA, RMA, AZ, JA and GH were found guilty of attempted murder, keeping people hostage, arson and kidnapping. The Public Prosecutor’s Office made it clear that the defendants shot at the police and used hostages as a human shield. The 5 defendants were sentenced to 8 years in prison in January 2025 but the defense attorneys as well as the prosecutor have lodged an appeal. This time the Public Prosecutor’s Office is demanding that the 5 defendants be sentenced to 15 years in prison. Several suspects changed their testimony but the prosecution rejected the new versions of their statements. The trial against citizens on one hand and police officers on the other hand emphasizes the complexity of this case.