PARAMARIBO – Sharon Z., a former employee of the Hakrinbank who is on trial on an embezzlement charge, on Tuesday asked the court to assign an independent accountant to her case. She told the court that each suspect is entitled to a fair trial and that an independent accountant with no ties to the bank carries out the investigation.

Sharon’s lawyer, Raoul Lobo, made it clear that his client has repeatedly requested an independent accountant. The accountant who has carried out the investigation works for the Hakrinbank which is why Lobo claimed that there was no independent investigation. Sharon Z. reminded the court that she was initially accused of having stolen SRD 8 million but after a while this figure jumped to SRD 18 million. Now she is being a cursed of having stolen SRD 28 million from the bank. The defendant who has 4 young children could spend the next 6 years behind bars at the state penitentiary if she is found guilty. The prosecution has demanded that her accomplice, Reynaldo J, be sentenced to 24 months in prison. The woman’s accomplice told the court that he regretted his actions. “I have learned my lesson,” said Reynaldo. The judge is expected to announce the verdict next week…[+]