Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com

Teens among suspected vagrant killers in Suriname

Saturday, November 4, 2006

by: Ivan Cairo
Caribbean Net News Suriname Correspondent
Email: ivan@caribbeannetnews.com

PARAMARIBO, Suriname: Among the suspects of the recent murder of several homeless men in Suriname are at least three teens, a police source said. However, when contacted for further details, police spokeswoman Maritha Ritfeld-Asontoe wouldn’t confirm whether the detainees have confessed to the killings. Due to the sensitive nature of the case the police are very tight-lipped about the inquiries.

Since February this year, in separate attacks, five homeless men were murdered while sleeping on the streets in the capital Paramaribo, the latest on October 12. Three of the suspects are allegedly between 16- and 19-years-old. “I can only confirm that two of the suspects are high school students,” said Ritfeld-Asontoe.

Meanwhile police haven’t established yet whether the detainees were involved in the murders. According to sources close to the investigation, the suspects denied any involvement in the gruesome killings that shocked the nation. However they admit committing violent actions against other vagrants, recently. One of the detainees is the son of a well-known physician. Further arrests were not ruled out by the police.

After the first two vagrants were shot to death in February, and two other were doused with fuel and set on fire in May, President Ronald Venetiaan announced in parliament a thorough investigation into the attacks. Subsequently, a Special Unit within the police force was established to probe the murders. This unit has since then performed numerous surveillance operations at night and made discreet inquiries, which ultimately led to the arrests.

According to unconfirmed reports nearly 500 homeless people are in the capital alone. As part of a recently restarted program by the authorities to provide clothes, food and showers and hygienic care to vagrants, in the space of two weeks more than 200 homeless people were identified.

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