Share this @internewscast.com

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — A judge investigating the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse issued a final report on Monday that indicts his widow, Martine Moïse, ex-prime minister Claude Joseph and the former chief of Haiti’s National Police, Léon Charles, among others.

The indictments are expected to further destabilize Haiti as it struggles with a surge in gang violence and recovers from a spate of violent protests demanding the resignation of current Prime Minister Ariel Henry. A total of nearly 50 suspects were indicted in the 122-page judge’s report.

Charles, who now serves as Haiti’s permanent representative to the Organization of the American States, faces the most serious charges: murder; attempted murder; possession and illegal carrying of weapons; conspiracy against the internal security of the state; and criminal association.

Meanwhile, Martine Moïse and Joseph are accused of complicity and criminal association.

Charles could not be immediately reached for comment. Neither Joseph nor the spokesman for Martine Moïse’s attorney responded to messages for comment.

Others who face charges including murder are Christian Emmanuel Sanon, a Haitian-American pastor who visualized himself as Haiti’s next president and said he thought Moïse was only going to be arrested; Joseph Vincent, a Haitian-American and former informant for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Dimitri Hérard, presidential security chief; John Joël Joseph, a former Haitian senator; and Windelle Coq, a Haitian senator whom authorities say is a fugitive.

Sanon, Vincent and Joseph were extradited to the U.S., where a total of 11 suspects have faced federal charges in the slaying of Haiti’s president. Three have been sentenced.

Meanwhile, more than 40 suspects are languishing in prison in Haiti awaiting trial, although it was not immediately clear how quickly one would be held following the judge’s findings issued Monday.

The the report released Monday said: “We were able to discover with insight the degree of participation and the role of each of the groups of delinquents who joined together under the influence of Machiavellian plans developed between authors, co-authors, accomplices and henchmen for the purposes of assassinating President Jovenel Moïse.”

U.S. prosecutors have described it as a plot hatched in both Haiti and Florida to hire mercenaries to kidnap or kill Moïse, who was 53 when he was slain at his private home near the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince.

The attack began late July 6 and ended July 7, according to witnesses.

Martine Moïse and others who were interrogated said they heard heavy gunfire that began around 1 a.m. and lasted between 30 to to 45 minutes before armed men burst into the bedroom of the presidential couple.

Moïse said she was lying on the ground when she heard the attackers yell, “That’s not it! That’s not it! That’s not it!”

She said the suspects made a video call to identify the exact location of what they were searching as they killed the president. She added that she was face down when the suspects tilted her head and tugged on one of her toes “to ensure that she wasn’t alive.”

Once they left, Moïse said she dragged herself on the ground and whispered to her husband that she was going to try and go to the hospital.

“That’s when she noticed that the president was dead and that his left eye had been removed from the socket,” the report stated.

Moïse said a group of about 30 to 50 police officers were supposed to guard the presidential residence, but the judge noted that only a handful of officers were present that night. One officer told the judge that he heard explosions and a voice through a megaphone saying, “Do not shoot! It’s a DEA operation! US Army! We know how many officers are inside. Exit with two hands lowered.”

Another officer said the head of security of the first lady found her “in critical condition” surrounded by her two children. He said he also saw an undetermined number of people coming out of the president’s residence “with briefcases and several envelopes in their possession.”

Inspector General André Vladimir Paraison said the president called him at 1:46 a.m. and said, “Paraison! Man, hurry up! I’m in trouble! Come quickly and save my life.” He said he encountered heavily armed men and couldn’t access the residence immediately.

The judge’s report noted that some police officers at the residence were disarmed and handcuffed, while others “had time to throw themselves down a ravine” for safety.

It also noted how “none of the police providing security to the head of state was in danger. Unfortunately, the head of state was assassinated with ease.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Chicago shootings this weekend: At least 10 shot, 2 fatally, in gun violence across city, police department says

Breaking News: Peoria County Deputy Injured in South Western Avenue Traffic Stop Shooting

A sheriff’s deputy from central Illinois was wounded in a shooting that…
Former Ben & Jerry’s Cofounder Debuts Newest Ice Cream Flavor

Scoop Up the Excitement: Former Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founder Launches an Irresistible New Ice Cream Flavor

In a spirited announcement, Ben Cohen, cofounder of Ben & Jerry’s, introduced…
Israel set to reopen Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt for first time since May 2024

Israel Reopens Rafah Border Crossing with Egypt: A Landmark Move Since May 2024

On Thursday, Israel revealed plans to reopen the Rafah border crossing, facilitating…
In his potential final game at MSG, LeBron James walks off court without signature send-off

LeBron James Exits MSG Without Expected Farewell in Possible Last Appearance

LeBron James may have made his last appearance at the iconic World’s…
Russia kills 12 Ukrainian miners in deadly bus attack hours after peace talks postponed

Tragic Bus Attack Claims Lives of 12 Ukrainian Miners Amid Delayed Peace Talks

A Russian drone assault struck a bus transporting miners in the Dnipropetrovsk…
Dixmoor water main break at 139th between Dixie and Thornton impacts over half of residents: Village President Fitzgerald Roberts

Urgent Alert: Major Dixmoor Water Main Break Disrupts Over Half of Village Residents – Key Details Inside

A significant water main break in Dixmoor, Illinois, is affecting over half…
Rosé, Bruno Mars and Sabrina Carpenter open 2026 Grammy Awards with electric performances

Rosé, Bruno Mars, and Sabrina Carpenter Electrify 2026 Grammy Awards with Show-Stopping Opening Performances

The 68th annual Grammy Awards kicked off with a bang as Rosé…
Venezuela's acting president overhauls oil industry amid pressure from Trump administration

Venezuela’s Bold Oil Industry Revamp: Navigating U.S. Pressure and Economic Challenges

Delcy Rodriguez, acting as Venezuela’s interim President, has enacted a transformative law…
Shooting in Georgia hotel room leaves 1 officer killed, another seriously wounded: 'Unprovoked attack'

Tragic Georgia Hotel Shooting: Unprovoked Attack Claims Officer’s Life, Injures Another

Tragedy struck in Georgia on Sunday when a man opened fire on…
What went wrong with Sam Darnold and the Jets? Let’s revisit with Darnold’s Seahawks in the Super Bowl

Analyzing Sam Darnold’s Journey: From Jets Challenges to Super Bowl Contention with the Seahawks

For half a century, the New York Jets have been on an…
What Tyler Robinson's defense wants hidden and why prosecutors and media say no in court

Battle in Court: Tyler Robinson’s Defense Seeks Secrecy as Prosecutors and Media Demand Transparency

Prosecutors in Utah are joining forces with a diverse group of media…
Jacksonville's overnight warming center to open Monday through Friday during cold front

Stay Warm: Discover First Coast Warming Centers Open Amid Record Cold Snap

In Jacksonville, the Legends Center will remain open overnight through Monday, February…