Surinamese Finance Minister Gillmore Hoefdraad is not yet being prosecuted for his possible role in a corruption case. The opposition parties voted to prosecute the minister on Monday night, but coalition parties NDP and BEP voted by a majority.
The Surinamese Public Prosecution Service wanted to prosecute Hoefdraad for eleven offenses. In Suriname, however, the Public Prosecution Service may only prosecute political administrators if parliament gives its permission.
The Public Prosecution suspects Hoefdraad among other things of accepting bribes from gold companies. According to the Public Prosecution Service, the role of Hoefdraad came to light when it investigated Robert van Trikt, the former boss of the Central Bank of Suriname who has been in custody since February. According to his lawyer, Van Trikt was acting on behalf of Hoefdraad.
Hoefdraad and the coalition parties NDP and BEP argue that the Public Prosecution Service has political motives to prosecute him and that the file is incomplete. The coalition says it has little confidence in the Public Prosecution Service.
The opposition, on the other hand, argues that a judge, not parliament, should deal with the question of guilt. Although Hoefdraad cannot be prosecuted at this time, a future parliament could review this decision.
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