Page "Dési Bouterse" Paragraph 61

The pardon caused a lot of commotion in the country, as it is the first time a Surinamese President pardons a murder with robbery.

" People that have committed such heavy offends, should not get a pardon " said former justice minister Chan Santokhi.

" Besides, the requirement that a thorough investigation must be conducted and that the decision should be based on the advice by the judge who passed the sentence was ignored ".

Bouterse ’ s staff denied that the fact that Meriba is the foster son of President Bouterse played a role in the decision to grant the pardon, as there were strong legal arguments for the pardon.

According to rumors, after Meriba went out of jail he got employed at the heavily armed Counter Terror Unit ( CTU ), which is being led by Dino Bouterse, son of Desi Bouterse.