PARAMARIBO, Suriname - The Public Prosecution Service (OM) says no order has been given to track down the buyers of a book written by a Dutch author and entrepreneur alleging corruption at the highest level in Suriname.
The back of the controversial book by Dutch writer and entrepreneur, Gerard van den Bergh“Furthermore, no order has been given to arrest or deport a journalist,” the OM said in a statement as the controversy continues over the publication of the book published by Gerard van den Bergh.
Media reports say freelance journalist Irwin Wist , who has a Dutch passport, “has gone into hiding since last week,” because of fears of being arrested and declared as persona non grata.
President Chandrikapersad Santokhi has moved to ban the publication, titled “’Corruption at the highest level – Doing Business in Suriname,” and has already sent a writ to a bookstore demanding that the book be immediately withdraw from the market.
Following the writ filed by Santokhi’s lawyer, Gerold Sewcharan, the Judicial Intervention Team (JIT) started an investigation on January 26, this year into, among other things, insult, defamation and/or slander of the President of the Republic of Suriname and other persons.
The preliminary investigation has established that the writer of the book sent 70 books here, with the writer donating 12 of the books to certain individuals with the intention of it published in the local media.
According to the Public Prosecution Service, some citizens who received the book as a gift were summoned by the JIT to be heard regarding their relationship with the author/entrepreneur and to ask whether they were willing to donate the book voluntarily
The OM said that since the bookstore had placed an advertisement in the media calling on buyers to return the book, one person has complied.
Last month, the Surinamese Association of Journalists (SVJ) expressed “serious concern” at the move by President Santokhi to ban the sale of the book here, saying the freedom of expression of individuals, as well as the freedom of the press were under threat.
“The SVJ therefore emphatically condemns the fact that the President, used his position of power as a political government, to ban the distribution of the book by the bookstore, as well as attempting to censor a media house, in an attempt to deprive the public of a newsworthy topic.
“The SVJ emphasises that, as the definition reads, censorship…never will be accepted and permitted. If the President feels his honour has been compromised, he will have to submit this to an independent judge for assessment.”
In addition, the ‘de Ware Tijd’ newspaper said it would not comply with a demand by President Santokhi to remove from its website, the photo on the cover of the book, featuring the head of state, Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Minister Parmanand Sewdien and entrepreneur Vijay Kirpalani.
