Meriba’s accomplice still has bullets in his body

Defense Attorney Oscar Koulen on Tuesday told the court that there are still bullets in the body of his client, Errol S. Errol S, Romano Meriba, Anthony C and Ruben S are on trial for the armed robbery that took place on November 9, 2015.

Koulen pointed out the prosecutor has refused to cooperate with the request to have the bullets taken out of his client’s body. The defense attorney made it clear that this reluctance is in violation with the American and European human rights treaty and Article 9 Paragraph 2 of Suriname’s Constitution which clearly states that torture is forbidden by law. He explained that the prosecutor’s negligence can be deemed as torture, degrading or inhumane treatment. “We do not know how many vital internal organs have already been damaged,” said Koulen who added that the crime that was committed can be classified as extortion. The prosecutor deems it theft with excessive force. Koulen explained that if the judge deems it extortion, it will be to the advantage of all 4 suspects. He referred to the statement of the victim who had stated that a 5 shooter had been put to his head and that the robbers cussed while demanding his car key. The witness claimed that he had no other choice than to hand the key over. The doors were closed but he felt compelled to open them because of the actions of the armed robbers. After he had handed over the key, he saw one of the robbers opening the back door and grabbing a bag. Shortly afterwards the victim heard the robbers saying that they already had it. Koulen pointed out in court that his client had already stated that the police did not shoot at him because then he would have been injured in his forehead. Errol S was injured in the back of his head which is why it is suspected that his own accomplice shot him when he tried to get out of the getaway car. The defense attorney asked for a ballistics investigation but it never took place. He made it clear that Errol S had already been ‘taken out’ which is why he could not have shot at the police during the shootout.