PARAMARIBO--A Dutch national who was arrested earlier this month at the request of Dutch authorities, escaped from the Duisburglaan penitentiary in Paramaribo on Sunday.
Gerel Lusiano Palm ran just days before Suriname was to hand him over to the Netherlands to stand trial for attempted murder, attempted manslaughter and illegal gun possession.
Palm (34) is the prime suspect in a shooting that took place in Noordeloos, a small village in South Holland, on Saturday night, December 10, 2016. A passing motorist had called police after seeing one of the victims – a 35-year-old Rotterdammer – lying on the roadside; the second victim – 28, also from Rotterdam – was found a couple of metres further down in a meadow. Both had suffered gunshot wounds and were transported to hospital.
The 35-year-old was released from hospital the next day, but was taken into custody by police the following Tuesday, December 13. It appeared he had been deeply involved in what had led to the shooting.
The investigations then led to Palm, who had meanwhile returned to Suriname, following which authorities in the Netherlands requested Surinamese authorities to arrest him. He was apprehended on Wednesday, March 1.
According to reports from the penitentiary, while out of his cell on his way to meet with his attorney, he asked to go to the toilet. He then asked to see the guard in charge; once he was inside his office, he pulled a gun from under his shirt, held the guard at gunpoint, took his gun and then managed to run out of the penitentiary.
Police have since issued an arrest warrant, calling on “anyone who has information about his whereabouts to call the Capital Crimes Department.” They warned that Palm is armed and dangerous.
Justice and Police Minister Jennifer van Dijk-Silos has meanwhile announced that a full-scale investigation will be carried out into the dubious escape. She promised harsh measures against anyone who was involved.
