38 86(26). Shortly after Mr. Swedo was placed in state custody, a fully-armed contingent of military police arrived at the civilian police station and forcibly obtained his release.40 86(27). Mr. Swedo was taken to military barracks where Army Commander Bouterse had convened a meeting. There, Mr. Bouterse issued a statement to the press, by which he confirmed the following: a) that the operation in Moiwana Village was a military action which he himself had ordered; b) that he would not allow military operations to be investigated by the civilian police; and c) that he had required the release of Mr. Swedo.41 86(28). On August 4, 1990, Inspector Gooding, following his meeting with the Deputy Commander of the military police, was murdered. His death has not been conclusively investigated.42 86(29). Some of the police investigators who collaborated with Inspector Gooding faced life-threatening circumstances and, consequently, fled Suriname.43 86(30). On December 10, 1993, Frits Moesel – who had confessed to police that he had led the attack on Moiwana village – was killed, allegedly due to a hunting accident.44 86(31). On May 22, 1993, Moiwana ’86, an organization representing the alleged victims in the instant case (supra paragraphs 2 and 5), discovered a mass grave near Moiwana Village, in the District of Marowijne, and two days later notified the Office of the Attorney General. The grave site was then visited on two occasions – May 29 and June 9, 1993 – by military and civilian police, a pathologist and Moiwana ’86. The team uncovered human remains, which were taken to Paramaribo for further analysis. Subsequently, state authorities reported only that the remains 40 Cf. testimony of Stanley Rensch delivered before the Inter-American Court on September 9, 2004; newspaper article titled “Sweedo leer een vrij man,” published in the Weekkrant Suriname, May 6 – 12, 1989 (exhibits to the application, vol. II, exhibit 27, pp. 458 – 459); newspaper article titled “Arrestaties in verband met bloedbad Moiwana,” published in the Weekkrant Suriname, April 22 – 28, 1989 (exhibits to the application, vol. II, exhibit 27, pp. 460 – 461); and newspaper article titled “President ontluisterd; holding regering uiterst slap,” published in the Weekkrant Suriname, April 29, 1989 (exhibits to the application, vol. II, exhibit 27, pp. 462 – 463). 41 Cf. testimony of Stanley Rensch delivered before the Inter-American Court on September 9, 2004; newspaper article titled “Rensch: Onderzoek massamoorden in Oost-Suriname,” published in Algemeen Dagblad, May 25, 1993 (exhibits to the application, vol. II, exhibit 27, pp. 464 – 466); and newspaper article titled “Wat zich te Moi Wana voltrok,” published in De Ware Tijd, May 28, 1993 (exhibits to the application, vol. II, exhibit 27, pp. 467 – 468). 42 Fact recognized by the State in its answer to the application (case file from preliminary objections, and possible merits, reparations and costs, vol. II, p. 398). Cf. testimony of Stanley Rensch delivered before the Inter-American Court on September 9, 2004. 43 Cf. testimony of Stanley Rensch delivered before the Inter-American Court on September 9, 2004; and Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Annual Report 1990-1991 dated February 22, 1991, Chapter IV: Situation on Human Rights in Several States, Suriname. OEA/Ser.L/V/II.79 doc.12 rev.1 (exhibits to the application, vol. I, exhibit 12, p. 229). 44 Fact recognized by the State in its answer to the application (case file on preliminary objections and possible merits, reparations and costs, vol. II, p. 398). Cf. official report from interviews with Harry Moesjoekoere (exhibits to the State’s answer to the application, vol. III, exhibit 26, p. 8).

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