Stephano ‘Pakittow’ Biervliet, the leader of the protest in Paramaribo, was released on Monday evening. The Surinamese news site Waterfront reports that authorities released him around 8 p.m. (local time). It is unclear whether he is still a suspect in the case against him.
The Surinamese activist was arrested more than a week ago after the outbreak of violence in the Surinamese capital. Parliament was stormed, among other things.
Biervliet, who reported to the police, then said in a statement that he is not responsible for the disturbances. According to him, these were organized by groups with which he had no contact.
The Surinamese police arrested more than a hundred people during the riots. They are suspected of looting, theft and other crimes. At least 20 people were injured in the clashes. Petrol stations and shops in the capital were looted.
The protests arose out of dissatisfaction with the government of President Chan Santokhi and the poor state of the Surinamese economy.
