Wednesday, January 10, 2007

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

PARAMARIBO, Suriname: A former Trade Minister in Suriname is being prosecuted for alleged money laundering and participation in a criminal organisation. Siegfried Gilds, president of coalition party SPA has to appear in court on Monday, January 15 after receiving a subpoena on January 4.

Gilds resigned on January 22, 2006, after formally being accused of the mentioned crimes by the Office of the Prosecutor. His resignation came shortly after being summoned to his office by President Ronald Venetiaan, to discuss the matter.

In the previous government from 2000-2005, Gilds held the position of Minister of Justice and Police. He has strongly supported anti-money laundering activities of the government and championed anti-money laundering laws, which were passed in September 2002 by parliament.

It is alleged that the former government official helped a relative to buy property in Suriname and start up a business in which hundreds of thousands of euros were involved. In December 2005 this relative was sentenced for money laundering. During his trial he claimed that Gilds, his uncle, was his agent in Suriname handling his financial affairs. Meanwhile, in the same case in Suriname, another suspect, a popular singer, in August 2006 was sentenced to an 18-month jail term for money laundering.

Speaking to reporters Monday, ex-minister Gilds expressed relief that the trial will start next week. “It was a torment,” he said, pointing to the fact that the investigations took almost a year. He also criticised the fact that Prosecutor General Subhas Punwasi was constantly in the media about this case.

“Even before the judge has passed sentence, it is as if I was already convicted. And that was incorrect,” said the former minister.

Gilds is the third cabinet minister who has been forced to resign and has to stand trial for criminal offences since the New-Front coalition came into power in 2000 and again won the elections in May 2005.

In 2003 minister of Social Affairs and Housing Paul Somohardjo resigned after he was convicted on sexual intimidation charges. Somohardjo is currently Speaker of the House.

Dewanand Balesar, former minister of Public Works, resigned mid-2005 after the prosecutor-general launched an investigation against him on fraud and corruption charges. It is alleged that he had granted contracts to fictitious contractors, mostly relatives and party members. Those individuals were paid large sums of money for work that was never delivered.

The former Public Works minister is also being accused of spending government funds for private purposes. His trial is continuing later this month before the High Court.

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