PARAMARIBO, Suriname, CMC – Suriname has formally asked Brazil to extradite Joel ‘Bordo’ Martinus – a Surinamese politician who is also a member of the ruling party – who was arrested in May based on a Red Notice issued by Interpol Suriname.
“Suriname wants the extradition of a Surinamese who is suspected of having committed serious criminal offences in Suriname, so that he can stand trial for them,” the Communications Unit of the Public Prosecution Service (OM) said.
It said that Attorney General Garcia Paragsingh made the request for extradition based on the extradition treaty between Suriname and Brazil in December 2004.
The request of the Attorney General, who is the central authority under the treaty, was forwarded to the Brazilian judicial authorities via diplomatic channels on 12 July 2024.
But so far no response has been received to the request, for which no deadline has been set. The OM further states that it is not formally aware whether France has also requested extradition and whether Suriname is the first or second requesting country.
The authorities suspect Martinus, the former chairman of the youth department of ABOP, the party of Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk, of murder, manslaughter, complicity in murder/manslaughter, participation in a criminal organisation, violation of the Narcotic Drugs Act and money laundering.
Martinus came into the picture as one of the suspects after investigators stumbled upon a plane that was buried in an area near the border with French Guiana.
It is also believed that a drug gang reportedly killed a man in connection with that case. The body was never found.
After authorities ordered an investigation against him, Martinus went into hiding. From his hiding place, he indicated in a statement on Facebook that he was innocent and that his arrest was a witch hunt set up by the ruling party because he had seriously criticised the policies of President Santokhi.
It had long been suspected that he was in Brazil. He regularly appeared with live streams on his Facebook page, criticising government policies and also commenting on other developments in society.
The lawsuit against Martinus and four co-suspects is still pending in court. An arrest warrant was issued against Martinus on November 21, 2022.
According to the extradition treaty between the two countries, if Martinus has been arrested at Suriname’s request, he will have to be extradited within 60 days. However, he must agree that he wants to be extradited as soon as possible and does not want to go to court. The judicial authorities will then coordinate with each other on the date of transfer.
However, if he is against his extradition to Suriname, the ‘long road’ follows, to the Brazilian judicial system and the Public Prosecution Service said that it will accept the decision.
“The judicial authorities in Brazil have the sovereign power to grant or not the request, taking into account the agreements reached in the treaty,” it said, adding “we are aware that both countries see the usefulness and necessity of this and are certainly working towards it”.
About The Author
More Stories
Wright competing in World Triathlon Cup Circuit
Layne heading to Germany for World Draughts Qualifier
BWU and Wyndham continuing discussions