Haiti: a month later, where is the investigation into the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse?
Mourners attend the funeral of assassinated Haitian President Jovenel Moïse on July 23, 2021, in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, the main city in his native northern region.
- Moïse, 53, was shot dead in his home in the early hours of July 7.
AFP - VALERIE BAERISWYL
Text by: RFI Follow
4 min
On July 7, Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in his room in the middle of the night.
A month later, no clear lead emerges on the sponsors of this crime or on the possible motives.
This Wednesday, August 4, the file was finally sent to justice.
The Port-au-Prince court of first instance must appoint one or more judges responsible for investigating the case of the president's assassination.
The candidates for this thorny task are not jostling each other.
Several magistrates refused to take charge of this case, citing fears for their safety.
So far, the investigation into who killed Jovenel Moïse has been marred by multiple irregularities.
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A justice of the peace and his two clerks, prevented for long hours from accessing the crime scene, are now living in hiding after receiving death threats.
After the assassination of Jovenel Moïse, 44 people were arrested.
Among them 18 Colombians, several presidential security officials and a Florida businessman from Haiti.
Most of the suspects did not have access to a lawyer.
None of them has yet appeared before a judge, contrary to Haitian law.
For nearly a month, it was the judicial police and the prosecution who carried out the investigation.
In recent days, several new arrest warrants have been issued by the prosecution.
Are targeted: a former judge of the Court of Cassation, pastors, a former senator and the president of PHTK, the party of Jovenel Moïse.
All claim to be victims of political persecution.
The Haitian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Claude Joseph, asked the UN to open an international investigation as well as the establishment, if necessary, of a special tribunal in charge of trying the perpetrators and accomplices in the assassination of President.
Read also In the News: in Haiti, Jovenel Moïse tried to call for help
A month after the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise, Haitians are worried about the management of the country.
The investigation into the assassination of the head of state is stalling and no political transition is in sight.
It is the incomprehension which reigns within the population.
It is the incomprehension which reigns within the population - report
Ronel Paul
To listen: Special Edition: Haiti, one month after the assassination of Jovenel Moïse
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Haiti
Jovenel Moses