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
DOJ sought to 'brief' Biden on Mar-a-Lago raid before search -- didn't 'give a damn about the optics'

DOJ Prioritized Justice Over Optics: Sought to Inform Biden on Mar-a-Lago Raid Plans Pre-Search

In a revealing twist, recently unearthed emails suggest that the Department of…
Former Clinton, Obama official to resign from Harvard over Epstein ties

Harvard Official and Former Clinton-Obama Aide Steps Down Amid Controversy Over Epstein Connections

In a significant development, former Harvard University President Larry Summers has announced…
NYC faces more snow that could be 'hazardous' for commuters

NYC Braces for Potentially Hazardous Snowstorm: Commuters Urged to Prepare for Disruptive Weather

Early Wednesday morning, New York City was once again blanketed with snow,…
American who spent 11 years in prison for Bali 'suitcase murder' freed, deported: reports

American Released and Deported After 11 Years in Bali ‘Suitcase Murder’ Case: Reports

In a significant development, Indonesia has released and deported an American man…
Harlem renaissance history unearthed amid Bronx gravestones

Hidden Treasures: Bronx Gravestones Reveal Untold Stories of the Harlem Renaissance

WOODLAWN, the Bronx — The Harlem Renaissance was an explosion of Black…
California's taxes, cost of living crisis crushes six-figure salaries

Six-Figure Salaries No Match for California’s Skyrocketing Taxes and Living Costs

In cities like San Francisco and Oakland, a $100,000 salary quickly dwindles…
Jacksonville rapper Ksoo pleads guilty to 2019 murder, given 10 years in prison on top of life sentence

Jacksonville Rapper Ksoo’s 2019 Murder Guilty Plea: 10-Year Sentence Adds to Life Imprisonment

In a significant development, Jacksonville rapper Ksoo, legally known as Hakeem Robinson,…
Treasury sanctions Iran's petroleum 'shadow fleet,' ballistic missile networks

Treasury Targets Iran’s Covert Oil Fleet and Ballistic Missile Networks with New Sanctions

The U.S. Treasury Department took decisive action on Wednesday, imposing sanctions on…
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame unveils "diverse list" of 2026 nominees

2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominees Highlight Exciting Diversity

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced its latest batch…
Today in History: February 26, Trayvon Martin shot to death

Remembering Trayvon Martin: Reflecting on the Impact of February 26, 2012, Tragedy

Today marks Thursday, February 26, 2026—day 57 of the year, leaving 308…
Pete Hegseth moves to restore punishment of Mark Kelly over video about ‘illegal orders’

Pete Hegseth Challenges Mark Kelly’s Stance on ‘Illegal Orders’ in Controversial Video Debate

WASHINGTON — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is renewing his efforts to…
Brainerd, Chicago shooting: Antoine Alexander dies after being shot in parking lot in 9400-block of South Ashland Avenue

Tragic Incident in Brainerd: Man Fatally Shot in South Ashland Avenue Parking Lot

A man lost his life following a shooting incident in a parking…