Former Suriname president Desi Bouterse has died at the age of 79, the foreign minister said via Reuters

Written by Ank Kuipers

PARAMARIBO (Reuters) – Suriname’s former president Desi Bouterse has died at the age of 79, the country’s government said on Wednesday, nearly a year after he fled authorities to avoid prison after a conviction his murder of 15 political activists in 1982.

“The government has been informed of the family and its investigation into the death of Mr. D. Bouterse, the former President of the Republic of Suriname,” Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin told Reuters.

The former leader died on Tuesday, the government said, without confirming where, or which country. Last week Surinamese authorities raided his home – where supporters had gathered to pay his respects on Wednesday morning – but were unable to find him.

Bouterse dominated politics in the small South American country for decades, leading a coup in 1980 and finally stepping down in 2020.

In 2019 he and six others were convicted for their role in the 1982 murders of 15 leading government critics – including lawyers, journalists, trade union leaders, soldiers and university professors – for which Bouterse was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Bouterse said the men killed were linked to a planned attack on the former Dutch colony.

After years of legal proceedings, Bouterse was ordered to report to prison in January but did not appear on the appointed date.

The former president’s family will make a statement later on Wednesday, members of his political party told reporters.