Suriname's former dictator Desi Bouterse died of liver failure at age 79, an official autopsy revealed. Bouterse died either on December 23 or 24, the autopsy said.

Former Surinamese dictator Desi Bouterse has died at 79. He was a military strongman who led a 1980 coup in the former Dutch colony and then returned to power by election three decades later despite charges of drug smuggling and murder.

He took power in a military coup in 1980 and later served as the country’s president. He was also convicted of ordering the murder of 15 political opponents.

Suriname's government announced Saturday that the small South American nation will not hold a state funeral for its ex-president Desi Bouterse, who this week died a fugitive from justice aged 79.Current President Chan Santokhi "has decided,

Suriname's fugitive former President Desi Bouterse has died aged 79, the country's government said on Wednesday, almost a year after he fled authorities to avoid jail following his conviction over the murder of 15 political activists in 1982.

Desi Bouterse, a former dictator and later president of Suriname who was convicted of murder and drug trafficking, died on Tuesday at age 79.

Desi Bouterse, the former dictator and later elected president of Suriname, who became a fugitive of justice for the killing of political opponents, has died at 79, the government said

Bouterse, who evaded justice for 1982 execution of political opponents, died with in-absentia convictions for cocaine trafficking and murder.