It would have been known in advance that “troublemakers” would mingle with the demonstrators. The protests against President Chan Santokhi’s economic policies turned into a grim situation, with even parliament being stormed.
The authorities closed down downtown Paramaribo and imposed a curfew. Star news argues that the storming and damage could have been prevented if it had not taken so long for the police to regain control of the situation. “Never before has a protest gotten so seriously out of hand.”
According to Surinamese media, malicious people have taken advantage of the chaos by looting shops and committing destruction. Many Chinese shopkeepers and entrepreneurs in particular are said to have been attacked and ended up in hospital. The shopkeepers’ unions place the responsibility for the destruction in a statement with the rioters, but also point to the role of the security services. They were “insufficiently prepared” for escalation.
Journalists who reported on the unrest in the capital were also attacked. They were threatened and hindered in their work and a car belonging to one Star newseditor fired. At least fifty demonstrators have been arrested.
