During the trial of Danielle Veira, former director of the Directorate of National Security (DNV), her defense attorneys, Derrick Veira and Cedric Meijnaar, repeatedly pointed out inconsistencies in the testimony of the victim, Rodney Cairo, on Tuesday. Cairo claimed that on the evening before his abduction, he had brought three women to his home ‘because of the lockdown and their inability to return home on time.’ He stated that the women served him alcohol, yet in another statement, he mentioned drinking from a single glass with one of the women. Cairo, who asserted he does not drink alcohol, could not adequately explain why he participated in a toast that evening when questioned by the president of the Military Court, Cynthia Valstein-Montnor. He also alleged that after a few sips, he felt drugged, vomited, and remained in his room. Security footage from his home reportedly disappeared shortly after the abduction, though there are allegedly self-recorded videos by the women showing a party with loud music, alcohol, and sexual activity. These videos were not accessible to the media. Notably, despite Valstein-Montnor’s declaration that the case would be handled publicly despite sensitivities, much of Cairo’s interrogation and the viewing of the footage occurred behind closed doors, justified by the need to protect Cairo’s privacy. Journalists were only permitted to view external footage, which showed Cairo picking up the women at the corner of his street and walking them to his home. Around 2 a.m., a van stopped at his house, reversed slightly, and remained parked for half an hour before several men entered the property through an empty lot. It is unclear if the men were armed. The footage also captured the arrival and departure of the police. Cairo provided extensive testimony about his collaboration with Veira, former president Desi Bouterse, and other security officials, suggesting his abduction was linked to his intention to present evidence that day about Veira’s distribution of weapons to civilians. Meijnaar countered by citing a state decree allowing the head of the Security Service to arm civilians in special cases. The Military Court will verify this information. The prosecution’s closing arguments are scheduled for November 18, though further proceedings remain unclear as the press was excluded from the session.
Verdediging Danielle Veira wijst op inconsistenties verklaringen Rodney Cairo
