In Suriname, the circumstances surrounding the death of the country’s ex-president are being investigated.

Suriname police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the country’s former president, Desi Bouterse, AFP reports.
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On Wednesday it became known that the former head of Suriname, previously convicted of murdering political opponents, died at the age of 79.

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The body of Bouterse, who had been a fugitive for more than a year, was taken to his home in the Surinamese capital of Paramaribo by unknown assailants, authorities said. “A criminal investigation is currently underway and several people are being questioned,” the police statement said.

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There were no signs of violent death found on the body. After agreement with the prosecutor’s office, the remains were sent for autopsy and forensic examination.

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In January 2024, former Suriname President Desi Bouterse, convicted of murdering 15 political opponents, was issued an arrest warrant. However, Bouterse failed to report to prison to begin serving his 20-year prison sentence.

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The investigation began back in 2007. The victims of the so-called “December murders” in 1982 were “some of the most prominent” citizens of the country: lawyers, journalists, university professors. Bouterse and 24 other defendants were charged with their murder.