Former president Desi Bouterse
Vice-chairman of Suriname's main opposition National Democratic Party, Ramon Abrahams, says while the party has not requested a state funeral for former president Desi Bouterse, if it comes, it comes.
Mr Bouterse and his bodyguard, Iwan Dijksteel, had been on the run since December last year following their convictions in the December 8, 1982, murders of 15 men, including journalists, military officers, union leaders, lawyers, businessmen, and university lecturers.
Bouterse was given a 20-year jail term, while Dijksteel was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Abrahams confirmed that Bouterse's body was delivered to his home on Leonsberg by third parties, insisting that a state funeral was not requested.
A condolence book has since been opened, and Abrahams told reporters, "We cannot plan much at the moment because the body is still confiscated by the Public Prosecution Service.
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