“MP Adhin may have his say”

“If parliament decides to discuss the Public Prosecutor’s Office’s request to strip former Vice President Ashwin Adhin of his political immunity, that same man who is also an active member of parliament may join and participate in the discussion that will be held in parliament,” administration expert August Boldewijn told Times of Suriname. He explained that there is nothing wrong with that as the Surinamese law clearly states that “he is an elected representative of the people and may therefore participate as long as this matter is discussed in parliament according to the proper procedure and laws.” Boldewijn made it clear, however, that “Adhin must clearly realize that he will get to address parliament as a legislator and not as former VP.” The chairman of parliament, Marinus Bee, pointed out that the leaders of all the factions in parliament were informed of the request from the Public Prosecutor’s Office by phone after parliament had received the formal letter. “As chairman of parliament it was my duty to also formally inform the person in question of the letter from the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Meanwhile that has already happened. After the weekend the leaders of the factions will convene to determine when the request will be discussed in parliament. There is a certain procedure that we must follow and we will follow it in accordance with the law,” said Chairman Bee.