Pastor released from police custody

The pastor from a congregation located along the Nieuw Weergevondenweg who was arrested on aggravated assault, destruction of property and resisting arrest charges was released from police custody on Tuesday. The pastor’s attorney, Irene Lalji, confirmed that her client was released by the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Lalji told Times of Suriname that the police questioned 8 people from the neighborhood and that those people indicated that the congregation holds services inside a building with closed windows while the airconditioning units are on. These neighbors claimed that they have not experienced any nuisance from the church. Two other people complained about the noise but there is no official complaint in the police dossier.

Lalji pointed out that the pastor has a permit to hold public services on Wednesdays and Fridays from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. On every last Friday of the month the church organizes a vigil from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. The permit indicates that the pastor is allowed to use an audio power amplifier which does not exceed 110 decibel. The defense attorney explained that the police failed to measure the sound. She pointed out that the pastor on Thursday was busy praying with a small group of people and that they were praying for a sick person who was also present. The attorney emphasized the fact that the Constitution speaks of freedom of religion which is why the pastor was not in violation of the permit. She also explained that the police officers were not allowed to enter the room where the pastor was busy practicing his religion. She made it clear that the pastor had not offered resistance to the police but that others had done so. She pointed out that there is footage which she will present to the police.