Former Surinamese President Desi Bouterse failed to report on Friday to prison following his conviction for the 1982″December murders.” which claimed the lives of 15 political dissidents. Bouterse’s whereabouts remain unknown.

Earlier that day, Bourtese’s wife, former Surinamese first lady, Ingrid Bouterse-Waldring held a press conference signaling her continued support for her husband and the vitality of the National Democratic Party (NDP) in the 2025 elections. The NDP is the political party her husband ruled under during his ten-year presidency from 2010-2020 and continues to chair. 

Outside their family home in the Surinamese capital Paramaribo, Bouterse-Waldring let reporters know her husband will not be turning himself in to authorities. Bourterse-Waldring also claimed no recent contact with her husband, repeating that she is unaware of his location. The former first lady insisted on her husband’s controversial amnesty law, alleging Bouterse’s conviction is politically motivated by the Dutch government.

Bouterse was among four convicted for the murders, three of whom turned themselves in on Friday. Suriname’s Public Prosecution Service has opened an investigation to track down both Bouterse and fellow culprit and Bourtese’s former bodyguard, Iwan Dijksteel following their failure to report.