Summary proceedings between Abdoelgafoer and Miranda on 15 October following remarks about ‘a certain Faizal’

The case is registered under CIVAR number 202603804 and will be heard at the Kantongerecht in the Eerste Kanton. The public hearing begins at 8.30 a.m. Abdoelgafoer is represented in the proceedings by attorney mr. M.M. Ankoessie.

The summons was published publicly because, according to the document, Miranda currently has no known place of residence or stay in or outside Suriname. He is summoned to attend the hearing in the summary proceedings in person or through an authorised representative.

Statements about ‘a certain Faizal’

The legal conflict was preceded by several public statements by Miranda. In online broadcasts, he spoke critically about someone he described as “a certain Faizal” and linked this to developments involving the Kabinet van de President and the NDP.

According to Miranda, his remarks were initially based on messages he said he had received. These reportedly stated, among other things, that certain matters concerning him would be put “on hold”. Miranda later said that he believed he recognised the number from which the messages originated.

After the Kabinet van de President contacted him, Miranda reportedly was told that the person he linked to the messages denied having sent them. Miranda then said that the messages may have been false or misleading.

Miranda apologised

Miranda subsequently publicly apologised for his earlier statements. At the same time, he maintained that he had not mentioned Abdoelgafoer’s full name.

When the matter later came before the court, Miranda therefore publicly took the position that it must be made clear why his remarks are legally linked to Abdoelgafoer.

The fact that Miranda may not have said the full name does not automatically mean that a judge will rule that the statements could not have related to a particular person. In such cases, it may be relevant, among other things, whether the context made it sufficiently clear to the public who was being discussed. It is ultimately up to the judge to rule on this.

Case continued despite apology

Despite the earlier apology, Abdoelgafoer has chosen to bring the dispute before the summary proceedings judge.

What exactly Abdoelgafoer is seeking from the judge is not stated in the public summons reviewed by Key News. The document only states that Miranda has been summoned in summary proceedings and when the case will be heard.

It therefore cannot yet be determined whether Abdoelgafoer is seeking, for example, a correction, the removal of certain statements, a ban on further publications, a penalty payment or another measure.

Nor can it be concluded from the public document that the dispute concerns a financial matter.

The judge now has the floor

The case will come before the judge on 15 October. It is expected that this will make clearer which specific statements Abdoelgafoer holds against Miranda, why he claims that his interests were harmed as a result, and precisely what measure he is seeking. Miranda, in turn, will have the opportunity to defend himself against the claim.