Who is surinames leader

In a preliminary report on Wednesday, observers from the Organization of American States noted "scenes of disorder, along with elevated levels of tension" at the main polling station in the capital Paramaribo. It also described as "worrisome" what it called "an interaction" between the president and the electoral authority on election day. Bouterse was first elected president in the former Dutch colony in after initially seizing power in and ruling for seven years. He seized power briefly a second time in a bloodless coup in In November, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison by a military court for ordering executions during his first period in power, in He was convicted of having 15 political opponents -- including lawyers, journalists and businessmen -- rounded up and executed.

The incident, known as the "December killings," was investigated by Santokhi in his previous roles as justice minister and police chief. The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore. You can find more information in our data protection declaration. President Desi Bouterse, who was seeking a third term, could go to prison if he loses. According to the preliminary results, the main opposition under Chan Santokhi is poised for a historic victory.

Suriname's ruling National Democratic Party NDP on Thursday called for a recount of votes following preliminary results of the country's general election. The NDP is likely to secure Santokhi has called on the NDP to concede defeat.

The elections in Suriname were marred by reports of disorder at polling booths. Vote counting was delayed, leading some opposition parties to declare that the NDP was looking to carry out electoral fraud.

The NDP has denied the charge. A win in the general election is critical for Bouterse, as it would help him gain presidential immunity and avoid prison. In November , a military court convicted and sentenced Bouterse to 20 years in jail for the execution of 15 political opponents in The court ruled that Bouterse had overseen what is known as the "December killings," in which soldiers abducted dissidents, among them prominent journalists, academics and military officers.

All but one of the detainees was killed at a colonial fortress in the capital, Paramaribo. The sole survivor — a union leader — testified against Bouterse. Chan Santokhi had investigated the December killings as the police chief and justice minister.

The court did not issue an arrest warrant for Bouterse last year as under Surinamese law, an arrest can't be made until all appeals are exhausted.

Bouterse has appealed the conviction and the hearing of the case was postponed until June owing to the coronavirus pandemic. By Ank Kuipers. The court in November sentenced the year-old president to 20 years in prison for ordering the execution of 15 adversaries in the former Dutch colony who had spoken out against his seizure of power in a February coup. Bouterse, who has avoided prison due to his presidential immunity, has appealed the conviction, and the court is due to reconvene next month.

Additionally, in , a Dutch court sentenced him to 11 years in prison for drug smuggling.