PARAMARIBO, Suriname (CMC):

A former Suriname Government minister is to appear in court next week on charges of money laundering and participation in a criminal organisation.

Siegfried Gilds, president of the coalition party, SPA, who served as Trade Minister, resigned his post in January last year, after he was formally accused of the crimes by the Office of the Prosecutor.

Gilds had also served as Minister of Justice and Police in the 2000-5 Ronald Venetiaan administration. He had strongly supported anti-money laundering activities of the govern-ment and championed anti-money laundering laws, which were passed in September 2002.

According to the charges, Gilds is accused of helping his nephew, who was later convicted of money laundering, to buy property in Suriname and start up a business. Another person, a popular singer, was jailed for 18 months.

Relieved

During the trial, the convicted relative claimed that Gilds was his agent in Suriname handling his financial affairs.

But speaking with reporters on Monday, Gilds said he was relieved that the case would finally begin in the courts on January 15.

"It was a torment," he said, criticising Prosecutor-General Subhas Punwasi whom he said had been making public comments about the case in the media.

"Even before the judge has passed sentence, it is as if I was already convicted. And that was incorrect," said Gilds, the third Cabinet Minister who has been forced to resign and stand trial for criminal offences since the New-Front coalition first came into power in 2000.