A judge has released a final report regarding the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. The findings report implicates people such as Martine Moïse, Claude Joseph, and Léon Charles in the investigation.
Charles, currently serving as Haiti's permanent representative to the Organization of American States, is facing a range of serious charges including murder, attempted murder, possession and illegal carrying of weapons, conspiracy against the internal security of the state, and criminal association, as per The Independent.
Martine Moise Faces Accusations
As the investigation into the assassination of Haitian President Jovenal Moise unfolds, the spotlight has now shifted towards Martine Moise, the former First Lady. Moise, who sustained gunshot wounds during the attack, is facing accusations of complicity based on purported contradictory statements. The main suspect in custody alleges her involvement in a plot to seize her husband's presidency.
While the prosecutor's report compiled does not directly charge Moise, the decision to press charges rests with a reviewing judge who will assess the evidence. Paul Turner, Moise's lawyer, vehemently denies the allegations, emphasizing her status as a victim along with her children and late husband.
Despite the indictment recommendation, a separate investigation by the US Department of Justice has not produced evidence linking Moise to the conspiracy. Turner affirms, "We do not believe that she is or could ever be a suspect in the case."
Separate investigations by Haitian prosecutors and the US Department of Justice have led to different charges being filed. Some critics suggest that the Haitian charges could be driven by political motives.
The assassination of President Moise on July 7, 2021, triggered political turmoil in Haiti. A gang of Colombian hitmen, allegedly hired by a Miami-based security company, carried out the killing. The President's security procedures faced scrutiny for allowing assailants into the presidential residence without resistance, according to Daily Mail.
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Haitian Probe Ends with 70 Indictments
Moise's wife, the First Lady, sustained gunshot injuries. In the days following the assassination, Haiti was thrown into instability in politics, resulting in a lack of presidential leadership and no elections being conducted to choose Moise's successor.
Interim leadership fell to Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who himself faced accusations of involvement in the assassination. Phone records reportedly linked Henry to a key conspirator before and after the shooting, allegations he denies.
The Haitian investigation recently concluded, recommending Moise's indictment along with 70 others. Legal analysts view the charges against the former First Lady critically, suggesting a potential weaponization of the legal system against a perceived political adversary.
In a wider perspective, questions have been raised about the Haitian government's management of the investigation, particularly regarding its impartiality. A total of 44 arrests have been made in connection to the assassination, involving Colombians, Haitian law enforcement officers, and Moise's security personnel.
A total of 11 individuals in the United States are currently facing charges for their suspected involvement in the scheme. It was anticipated that the former First Lady would provide testimony in a trial concerning six defendants in South Florida later this year.
As the legal actions progress, doubts remain regarding the basis of the accusations against Moise and the underlying reasons for the Haitian government's decisions. The intricate nature of the case, mixed with its political ramifications, is still influencing the story revolving around the unfortunate events of President Moise's assassination, CNN reported.
