2 witnesses summoned to court

Judge Siegline Wijnhard on Monday decided to hear two more witnesses in the case against chief inspector Robert R, former police chief of the Western Region. A verdict was expected on Monday but the judge deemed it important to hear two additional witnesses after having heard defense attorney Irvin Kanhai’s plea. The judge wants one of the witnesses to explain which procedure must be followed when a fine has been paid. The second witness must explain which procedure must be followed when goods are confiscated. Kanhai wanted to let a former attorney general take the stand but the judge did not deem it necessary. Kanhai pointed out that his client had contacted the attorney general as is the case whenever an economic crime has been committed. He read aloud several messages that the chief inspector had sent via WhatsApp to the then AG.

Defendant Robert R had reportedly informed the then AG that the residency status of the suspect had to be checked. The suspect had claimed that he had unlawfully been robbed of his freedom. The suspect also refused to pay the SRD 10,000 fine which is why RR had asked the AG for further instructions via WhatsApp. Kanhai pointed out that the chief inspector had kept the prosecutor informed of the latest developments in the case and that this was therefore not an extortion case. The witnesses are scheduled to appear in court on November 27.