Supporters greet Suriname president after conviction

The president of Suriname has arrived in the South American country just days after a court convicted him in the 1982 killings of 15 political opponents and sentenced him to 20 years in prison

The president of Suriname has returned to the South American country just days after a court convicted him in the 1982 killings of 15 political opponents and sentenced him to 20 years in prison.

More than 1,500 supporters who were transported by bus greeted Desi Bouterse as he arrived before dawn on Sunday from an official trip to China.

Bouterse declined comment on the court’s decision except to say it was a political verdict. He said he is most focused on the May 2020 elections.

The court did not issue an arrest order following its historic verdict on Friday.

Bouterse had been scheduled to visit Cuba on Monday but has cancelled the trip.