. . . hands down lengthy jail terms
PARAMARIBO, Suriname (Caribbean Net News) — A judge in Suriname has slapped six Guyanese nationals with lengthy jail terms for piracy in the country’s territorial waters.

Churmandatt Sookdeo, Stevie Latchman and Tony Sookwah were sent to prison for 12 years each while their fellow countrymen Philbert Cush, Winston Bidesi and Junior Sookhoo were slapped with a 14 years jail term.

The sentences were in accordance with the demands of prosecutor Cynthia Klein.

The men were found guilty of several charges including armed robbery, abduction and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Judge Iwan Rasoelbaks showed no mercy, saying that the criminals have terrorized their victims. Several of the victims might be traumatized for life if they don’t receive professional help, he noted.

“Could you imagine the fear of the victims. These suspects have no compassion, simply because they are after money. Therefore we need to hand down harsh sentences in order to prevent this to happen in the future. On the other hand we need to discourage other to commit these acts,” said the magistrate.

The gang was captured red handed by local police officers during an attack on a yacht off the Surinamese coast. The vessel was occupied by eight Surinamese nationals.

Testimonies indicated that the victims were tied up, brutally beaten and threatened with cutlasses, firearms and other weapons. During the robbery they were also threatened with death.

During the trial, evidence surfaced that the pirates seized money, mobile phones and the outboard engine of the yacht.

The attack was foiled however after one of the victims succeeded in getting help. When police arrived at the scene, four of the attackers had already fled while the two remaining pirates were arrested on board the yacht.

The four fugitives were captured as a result of follow-up investigations.

For several years the coast of Suriname and Guyana has been terrorized by bandits, who attack fishermen, seizing their catch, nets, fuel, outboard engines and other valuables. In most attacks the victims have been beaten, while several were killed or thrown overboard.

Only in a few cases law enforcement agencies from both countries have succeeded in capturing and bringing suspects to justice since the culprits have managed to elude the authorities either by hiding in Guyana or Suriname.