Ramsamooj readjusting in Suriname to life out of jail

TT political analyst Derek Ramsamooj is slowly but surely reconnecting with the rest of the world after he was released last week from detention in Suriname.

So said Ramsamooj’s wife Camille Pagee on Monday.

“He has been resting, slowly catching back up with family, one at a time.”

Suriname authorities initially asked Ramsamooj to assist them with an investigation into alleged fraud and corruption at the SPSB and then detained him at the Santa Boma prison. He was not charged with any offence.

Pagee said Ramsamooj has been in touch with the Suriname police to request the return of “his basic personal items” such as his phone and wallet.

“He also has an appointment to see the specialist doctor, because after all those times we asked, even though there was no reason to withhold it, he never did get to see the specialist.” Pagee added that appointment is on Tuesday. Ramsamooj suffers from diabetes.

She explained that Ramsamooj had been through a tramautic experience and needed ample time and space to adjust.

“It’s not an easy thing. You can’t just pick up and continue running after a traumatic event like that.” Pagee said Ramsamooj would not have been aware of events in the outside world over the last two months.

She reiterated that Ramsamooj will remain in Suriname until a trial to deal with bank fraud allegations against the former Surinamese Post Savings Bank (SPSB) CEO, Ginmardo Kromosoeto starts in January. The Suriname authorities asked him to be available, she said.

Even if Ramsamooj wanted to return home, she said, “Suriname’s airspace has been further closed down in recent weeks.”

The Surinamese government first closed the country’s airspace on March 13 to prevent the spread of covid19.

Ramsamooj has been in Suriname since before March, analysing the politics ahead of that country’s general election.

Pagee said he e-mailed a request to return home to the National Security Ministry in August. She explained that request “remains in queue” with those of other TT nationals who are trying to get home.

But she added that because of uncertainty over the trial and how long Ramsamooj will need to stay in Suriname, a specific date and time for his return cannot be planned at this time.

She also said once Ramsamooj is well enough, he hopes to resume his consulting work remotely.

Last week, Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Dr Amery Browne praised Pagee and everyone else who played a role in Ramsamooj’s release.

Browne said throughout, the Prime Minister had “remained informed and concerned, particularly about the health of our citizen and his ability to access both justice and proper health care for his chronic conditions.”