In a disciplinary action announced this Tuesday, Suriname’s Minister of Justice and Police Harish Monorath has immediately removed Elio N. Biswan, chair of the Security and Assistance Service Suriname (BBS) union, from his post. The termination, categorized as a severe disciplinary penalty, was issued in full compliance with Suriname’s current civil service legislation.
An internal probe conducted by the BBS Interim Management Team (IMT) uncovered serious professional misconduct on Biswan’s part during his 2024 tenure as secretary of the examination committee for the BBS 2023 basic training program. Investigations confirm that Biswan independently and intentionally altered failing grades of multiple trainee recruits to passing marks. This manipulation allowed the candidates to bypass required requirements for exemptions or retests, and incorrectly marked their training as successfully completed.
Beyond altering existing scores, the investigation found Biswan had pre-promised recruits he would adjust their results, and even went so far as to fabricate official grade transcripts that did not match the original assessments submitted by training instructors. IMT investigators have classified these actions as a grave breach of institutional integrity and a clear case of abuse of public office.
In response to the uncovered irregularities, the IMT has moved to correct the process, granting all affected recruits the opportunity to take official re-examinations so they can properly and legitimately complete their mandatory training.
Minister Monorath determined the proven violations were severe enough to warrant the harshest possible disciplinary outcome, with the termination executed under Article 61 Paragraph 1 Subsection j and Article 69 Paragraph 2 Subsection e of Suriname’s Personnel Act.
As of Wednesday morning, it remains unclear whether additional criminal proceedings will be launched against Biswan following the conclusion of internal disciplinary handling.
Shortly after receiving his termination notice at approximately 11:00 PM Tuesday, Biswan called an urgent emergency general membership meeting for Wednesday morning. In his announcement, Biswan claimed the dismissal was an attempt to silence him, arguing the action was retaliation for his public criticism of current BBS leadership.