December 8 trial postponed until further notice

The Military Court on Thursday postponed the December 8 trial until further notice. Cynthia Valstein-Montnor, president of the Military Court, explained that Judge Advocate Roy Elgin has announced that the attorney general will lodge an appeal against the Military Court’s January 30 decision. On January 30, the Military Court rejected Judge Advocate Elgin’s request to end the further prosecution of the suspects with regards to the events that took place on December 7,8 and 9 in 1982 namely the December 8 trial. The request was based on Article 148 of the Constitution. Valstein-Montnor pointed out that once a case is being handled by the criminal judge, the judge advocate can no longer decide to refrain from prosecution. She explained that the December 8 trial is already being handled by the Military Court which means that the judge is responsible for making decisions regarding the charges against the suspect(s). Elgin who was expected to hold his closing speech against the suspects Desi Bouterse, Etienne Boerenveen, Jimmy Stolk and Arthy Gorré on Thursday pointed out that the attorney general will lodge an appeal. The AG has already informed the Military Court of his decision in a letter sent on February 6. Elgin pointed out that the Public Prosecutor’s Office has the right to get a ruling from the Court of Justice with regards to the January 30 decision to resume the trial. He therefore asked the Military Court to postpone the trial until after the Court of Justice has announced its decision. Valstein-Montnor pointed out that she had received the AG’s letter but that she had not seen any paper to indicate that an appeal had in fact been lodged.