Haiti’s President assassination: Widow, ex-PM, and former police chief indicted

In the probe into the July 2021 killing of President Jovenel Moïse, a judge has issued indictments against his widow, Martine Moïse, former Prime Minister Claude Joseph, and ex-chief of Haiti’s National Police, Léon Charles, along with several others.

A judge in Haiti, tasked with probing the July 2021 killing of President Jovenel Moïse, issued indictments against Martine Moïse, the late president’s widow, former prime minister Claude Joseph, and ex-chief of Haiti’s National Police, Léon Charles, among others, according to a report released on Monday. These indictments are likely to add to Haiti’s challenges as it contends with escalating gang violence and seeks to recover from a series of tumultuous protests calling for the resignation of current Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

Dozens of individuals were named in the 122-page report authored by Walther Wesser Voltaire, the fifth judge to oversee the investigation following the resignation of previous judges, some due to concerns for their safety. Léon Charles, who served as the police chief during Moïse’s assassination and currently holds the position of Haiti’s permanent representative to the Organization of American States, faces grave charges including murder, attempted murder, illegal possession of weapons, conspiracy against the state’s security, and involvement in criminal association.

On the other hand, Claude Joseph and Martine Moïse, the latter being injured during the attack, are accused of complicity and involvement in criminal association. Charles was unavailable for comment, and Martine Moïse’s attorney did not respond to a request for comment.

Meanwhile, Joseph, the former prime minister, released a statement to The Associated Press alleging that Henry was obstructing the investigation and exploiting the president’s death for personal gain.

In the report, the judge highlighted that Lyonel Valbrun, the former secretary general of the National Palace, informed authorities of significant pressure exerted by Martine Moïse to transfer the president’s office to Claude Joseph, purportedly for organising a council of ministers.

Valbrun also disclosed that two days before the assassination, Martine Moïse spent nearly five hours at the National Palace during the late hours, removing various items. Following her husband’s death, she allegedly called Valbrun to assert that Jovenel Moïse hadn’t fulfilled promises and instructed him to open the office for Joseph to initiate a council of ministers, allegedly to hold elections in three months to facilitate her ascent to the presidency.

Although the report didn’t explicitly name “Ti Klod,” it’s widely understood to refer to former Prime Minister Claude Joseph. The judge also noted Martine Moïse’s assertion that she sought refuge under the marital bed during the attack, but authorities found this claim implausible given the bed’s dimensions.

The judge critiqued Martine Moïse’s statements as riddled with contradictions, casting doubt on their credibility.

Other individuals facing charges, including murder, are Christian Emmanuel Sanon, a Haitian-American pastor who envisioned himself as Haiti’s next leader; Joseph Vincent, a Haitian-American and former DEA informant; Dimitri Hérard, presidential security chief; John Joël Joseph, a former Haitian senator; and Windelle Coq, a Haitian judge, who is considered a fugitive by authorities.

Sanon, Vincent, and Joseph were extradited to the U.S., where they, along with eight others, face federal charges related to Moïse’s assassination. Some have already been convicted.  According to U.S. prosecutors, the assassination of President Moïse was described as a conspiracy orchestrated in both Haiti and Florida, to hire mercenaries to either abduct or kill him at his residence near Port-au-Prince.

Witnesses reported that the attack commenced late on July 6 and continued into July 7. Martine Moïse and others questioned recounted hearing intense gunfire starting around 1 a.m., lasting approximately 30 to 45 minutes before armed assailants entered the presidential couple’s bedroom.

Moïse recounted being on the floor when she heard the attackers shouting, “That’s not it! That’s not it! That’s not it!” She stated that the suspects used a video call to pinpoint the precise location of their target as they carried out the assassination. Moïse added that she was lying face down when the attackers checked to ensure she was deceased by pulling on one of her toes.

Following the departure of the attackers, Moïse said she dragged herself to her husband and realized he was deceased, observing that his left eye had been removed from its socket. Regarding security at the presidential residence, Moïse mentioned that around 30 to 50 police officers were supposed to be on guard that night. However, the judge observed that only a few officers were present. One officer reported hearing explosions and a voice through a megaphone announcing, “Do not shoot! It’s a DEA operation! US Army! We know how many officers are inside. Exit with two hands lowered.”

According to statements from another officer, the head of security for the first lady discovered her in critical condition, accompanied by her two children. Additionally, the officer reported seeing an unspecified number of individuals leaving the president’s residence with briefcases and envelopes.

Inspector General André Vladimir Paraison recounted receiving a call from the president at 1:46 a.m., urgently requesting assistance and expressing distress. Paraison mentioned encountering heavily armed men upon arrival and facing difficulties accessing the residence promptly. Officers present at the scene described finding the president’s private home riddled with bullet holes, damaged surveillance cameras, and a broken lock on the bedroom door.

The judge remarked on some officers being disarmed and restrained, while others managed to evade danger by seeking refuge. Moreover, allegations surfaced accusing the police officer in charge of presidential security of accepting a bribe of $80,000 to ensure certain officers remained inactive during the assassination.
The judge highlighted the discrepancy that while the police assigned to protect the head of state faced no imminent danger, the assassination of the president occurred with relative ease.