Authorities in Suriname have apprehended two suspects wanted in Guyana for the assault of a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank.
According to an article yesterday in Waterkant Suriname Nieuws, authorities in Suriname consisting of members of the National Security Directorate (DNV), Regional Assistance Team Paramaribo (RBTP), Arrest Team (AT), and Capital Offenses (KD), arrested two suspects wanted in connection with the assault of a GDF rank.
It was back in October that a viral video hit the internet showing an assailant disguised in a balaclava holding a knife and repeatedly striking the abdomen, face and head of an unnamed GDF rank who at intervals blocked the blows.
In a statement, the army said that the soldier shown in the video had been absent without leave (AWOL) for over a year. This raised questions as to when the video might have been made and what became of the soldier.
In the video, the assailant distinctly accused the soldier of “violating one of his gang affiliates” to which the soldier in his defence attempted to explain what transpired but was repeatedly struck by the man who goes by the name “Daniel”.
Another person in the video was heard saying to the assailant, “Daniel, let that boy go! let that boy go! which he (Daniel) ignored and instead continued his assault of the soldier.
The visibly perturbed rank pleaded for the blows to cease, but his assailant continued to hit him and at one point even attempted to stab him. The soldier however managed to blocked the attempt.
In the video, the soldier was seen being carried out of a building by another supposed gang member.
The Force in the statement said that it is conducting a thorough investigation into the video. It was pointed out that “The soldier in question has been absent without leave (AWOL) for over one year.”
A wanted bulletin was subsequently issued by the police for Roman Daniel Roberts, as the matter was being investigated. Information received suggested that Roberts and another might have fled the jurisdiction. Investigation then started in Suriname and two men were found and arrested in Bonukampoe in the Para district by the local authorities.
The suspects were transferred to the capital crimes unit, as investigations continue.
