3 days ago
Suspects in Haitian president's 2021 killing flown to US trial
Haitian President Jovenel Moise was killed at his home in July 2021.
Eighteen people suspected of involvement were flown from Haiti to the United States.
They will face legal proceedings there.
U.S. officials say the alleged plot was organized partly in South Florida.
They say 30 people have been indicted in the United States.
Four men were convicted in May for helping plan the killing.
Haiti’s justice minister said the country’s own case has been delayed.
A Haitian rights activist said this showed that Haiti needs a stronger justice system.
Eighteen suspects in Jovenel Moise’s 2021 assassination were transferred from Haiti to the United States.
The suspects were flown on a military plane on Sunday, according to U.S. and Haitian officials.
U.S. prosecutors say South Florida was used as a staging ground for the alleged plot.
Thirty people have been indicted in the United States, while four men were convicted in May.
A Haitian human rights activist criticized the transfer, citing delays and weaknesses in Haiti’s justice system.
- Who
- Eighteen suspects, Haitian President Jovenel Moise, U.S. prosecutors, Haitian officials, and human rights activist Pierre Espérance.
- What
- The suspects were transferred from Haiti to the United States in connection with Moise’s assassination.
- Where
- The suspects were moved from Haiti to the United States; the alleged plot involved South Florida and the killing occurred at Moise’s residence above Port-au-Prince.
- When
- The transfer occurred on Sunday; Moise was killed in July 2021, and four related convictions were obtained in May.
- Why
- U.S. prosecutors are pursuing the case, while Haitian proceedings have been delayed and have not resulted in a trial.
Haitian Justice Critics
U.S. Prosecution
Where the case should be tried
Haitian Justice Critics
Pierre Espérance called the transfer a disgrace for Haiti’s justice system and said complex cases should be tried inside Haiti after strengthening its courts.
U.S. Prosecution
U.S. authorities are prosecuting suspects in the United States, where the case has produced arrests, indictments, prosecutions, and convictions.
Progress in the proceedings
Haitian Justice Critics
Haitian Justice Minister Patrick Pelissier said Haitian judicial proceedings have been delayed and remain unable to reach a trial.
U.S. Prosecution
U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones said the transfer marked a major new phase in pursuing accountability, citing progress in the American case.
Key facts
- Suspects transferred
- 18 people were flown from Haiti to the United States.
- Assassination date
- Jovenel Moise was killed in July 2021.
- U.S. indictments
- Thirty people have been indicted in the United States in relation to the crime.
- Recent convictions
- Four South Florida men were convicted in May of plotting the assassination.
- Alleged staging ground
- U.S. prosecutors described South Florida as a staging ground for the alleged plot.
- Haitian proceedings
- Haiti’s justice minister said the national case has faced major difficulties and has not produced a trial.
Quotes
Jason Reding Quiñones
US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida
“While the American procedure has recorded significant progress, notably arrests, prosecutions, and convictions, the Haitian procedure remains confronted with major difficulties and has not, to date, resulted in a trial being held, after five years of proceedings.”
theprint.in
“Today marks the next major phase in our pursuit of accountability for the assassination.”
theprint.in
Sources
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