According to a leaked document, a Haitian judge leading the investigation into the 2021 killing of former president Jovenel Moïse has indicted 50 individuals, including his wife and a former prime minister.
Based on a 122-page report released by AyiboPost, Judge Walther Wesser Voltaire alleges that Martine Moïse, the widow of the president, colluded with former prime minister Claude Joseph to assassinate the president and take his place.
On the evening of July 7, 2021, armed individuals invaded Jovenel Moïse’s bedroom in Port-au-Prince, resulting in his death and injury to his wife.
The judge’s ruling mandates the detention and prosecution of the accused individuals.
The previous female leader did not promptly reply to Reuters’ inquiry for a statement, and neither did Joseph. Moïse has denounced on social media the alleged wrongful detentions and political oppressions.
Joseph, on the other hand, informed the Miami Herald that Ariel Henry, the current prime minister and de facto successor of the president, was utilizing the Haitian justice system as a weapon to target political opponents, which is indicative of a traditional coup d’etat.
A representative for Henry’s office stated that the judge acted independently and was able to make his ruling in accordance with the law and his own beliefs.
Henry was chosen as a replacement for Joseph, who currently heads an opposition party. This decision was made shortly before the assassination. Henry promised to hold elections, but has since delayed them indefinitely due to a destructive earthquake and the increasing influence of dangerous, armed gangs.
The majority of the capital is believed to be under the control of gangs. Kenya is getting ready to head a UN-approved international group to assist the Haitian police. However, past misconduct by foreign missions and accusations against Henry’s government have made countries hesitant to offer their support.
There is another ongoing trial in Miami regarding the assassination of Moïse. Six out of eleven defendants have admitted to their involvement in a scheme to hire mercenaries from Colombia to abduct Moïse. However, at the last minute, the plan was altered to a plot to assassinate him.
According to charges filed by the United States, the individuals involved in the plot aimed to replace Moïse with Christian Emmanuel Sanon, a Haitian-American pastor.
Source: theguardian.com
