Breaking News: Bouterse elected Suriname president by parliament

Desi Bouterse

PARAMARIBO, (Reuters) – Former coup leader and  military strongman Desi Bouterse was elected president of  Suriname by the South American country’s parliament today,  lawmakers said.
The parliament made the selection by 36 votes out of 50  after Bouterse, 64, who faces accusations of drug-trafficking  and human rights violations, had failed to gain a sufficient  winning majority in May elections.
Bouterse, who will replace outgoing president Ronald  Venetiaan, defeated Chandrikapersad Santokhi, the current  justice minister, who obtained 13 votes.
The former army leader, who took part in two past coups in  Suriname in 1980 and 1990, still faces trial in his country for  the execution of 15 opponents in 1982 during his military  rule.
He was also convicted in the Netherlands in 1999 of  drug-trafficking.
Before today’s vote, two local human rights organizations  had asked the National Assembly to reject the candidacy of  Bouterse.

Desi Bouterse
Desi Bouterse