Robert van Trikt, the convicted former governor of Suriname’s Central Bank, was taken into police custody this morning to begin serving his prison sentence. Despite having a scheduled medical specialist appointment today, Van Trikt was escorted by law enforcement to complete the visit before commencing his term. The former bank official informed Starnieuws that he had intended to surrender voluntarily tomorrow but acknowledged the authorities’ decision to enforce the sentence immediately.
The Public Prosecution Service had previously granted Van Trikt a one-week window to report to the Santo Boma penitentiary after rejecting his request for a three-month postponement of sentence execution. The prosecution emphasized that after this deadline expired, the verdict would be implemented without further delay.
Through his attorney Chandra Algoe, Van Trikt had sought postponement citing personal circumstances and his intention to challenge the conviction through international legal channels. The prosecution dismissed these appeals, insisting on immediate enforcement following the expiration of the granted period.
On January 19, the Court of Justice upheld Van Trikt’s conviction in the appellate hearing concerning the Central Bank of Suriname case, reducing his sentence from eight to six years imprisonment. Having already spent approximately three and a half years in pre-trial detention, he had been temporarily released on humanitarian grounds prior to this final ruling.
Van Trikt’s defense team maintains that his actions resulted from policy decisions made with full knowledge and explicit approval of the government, particularly former Finance Minister Gilmore Hoefdraad. The international appeal will reference a Kroll advisory report that the defense claims received insufficient consideration during domestic proceedings, along with the court’s acknowledgment that his nearly two-year pre-trial detention was unlawful.
Separately, Van Trikt faces additional investigations stemming from a 2020 complaint filed by Finabank and fourteen citizens regarding the use of cash reserve funds during his tenure as central bank governor, demonstrating the ongoing legal challenges confronting the former financial official.