Former Trade Minister Sieg-fried Gilds was sentenced to 12 months in jail on Monday, after he was found guilty of money laundering.

Gilds, who served in the administration of President Ronald Venetiaan, was also found guilty of bribing a witness. However, he was acquitted on the charge of being part of a criminal organisation.

Gilds maintained his innocence during the court proceedings and told reporters he was "shocked" at the verdict and the length of the jail term.

His attorneys have already indicated that they would appeal the court ruling.

Second guilty minister

Gilds is the second former minister from the ruling New Front coalition to be found guilty on criminal charges.

In December 2008, former Public Works Minister Dewanand Balesar was given a two-year jail term for corruption.

Gilds, who is the chairman of the coalition Suriname Labour Party, is also one of four New Front leaders.

During his tenure as minister of justice and police, Gilds strongly supported the anti-money laundering activities of the government and championed anti-money laundering laws, which were passed in September 2002 by parliament.

In its ruling, the court found Gilds guilty of laundering drug money on behalf of a relative in The Netherlands by purchasing houses and developing real estate properties in Suriname from 2000-2005.

A court in The Netherlands sentenced the unnamed relative to a two-year jail term in 2005.