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
Keith Powers and Ryan Destiny are engaged

Keith Powers and Ryan Destiny Announce Their Engagement

The actors shared the news in a heartfelt joint post on Instagram,…

Texas Mother Charged with Murder After Shooting Her Four Children, Killing Two

ANGLETON, Texas (AP) — Authorities reported that a Texas mother facing charges…
Supreme Court rejects appeal from Ghislaine Maxwell, imprisoned former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein

Supreme Court Denies Ghislaine Maxwell’s Appeal, Jeffrey Epstein’s Former Associate Remains Imprisoned

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal from Ghislaine…
Is 'Hocus Pocus 3' happening? Here's the latest we know

Will ‘Hocus Pocus 3’ Be Released? Updates on the Latest News

Midler’s posts began Oct. 1 and feature references to the cult classic…
National police union calls Chicago's refusal to help ICE agents 'shocking' violation of duty

Chicago’s Decision to Withhold Assistance to ICE Agents Criticized as ‘Shocking’ Breach of Duty by National Police Union

The country’s largest police union has criticized reports suggesting that Chicago police…
Jilly Cooper, British author of bestselling risqué novels including 'Rivals', has died at 88

Jilly Cooper, Renowned British Author of Bestselling Novels like ‘Rivals’, Passes Away at 88

British author Jilly Cooper, celebrated for her popular and daring novels like…
Florida removes Miami Beach rainbow crosswalk after city loses appeal

Miami Beach’s Rainbow Crosswalk Removed After Florida Wins Appeal Against City

MIAMI (AP) — A rainbow-colored crosswalk, celebrating the contributions and history of…
Suspected Charlie Kirk assassin’s lawyer pounces on witness flip in Utah poison mom case

Attorney of Alleged Charlie Kirk Assailant Seizes on Witness Testimony Shift in Utah Poisoning Case

The same defense lawyer handling the case of the suspect in Charlie…
Blue city crime drives Trump DOJ battle with major Democrat-led county on concealed carry rights

Spike in Urban Crime Sparks Trump DOJ Clash With Major Democrat-Led County Over Concealed Carry Rights

With violent crime increasing in major Democratic-run cities across the United States,…
Jaguars vs Chiefs at Everbank Stadium

Jaguars and Chiefs Clash at EverBank Stadium

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1) are set to play the…
Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump administration from sending National Guard troops to Oregon

Federal Judge Halts Trump’s Plan to Deploy National Guard Troops to Oregon

A federal judge on Sunday put a temporary halt on the Trump…
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents make an arrest during an early morning operation in Park Ridge, Ill., Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

ICE Launches Advertising Campaign to Recruit Local Police Officers for Trump’s Large-Scale Deportation Initiatives

“You swore an oath to protect and serve, to safeguard your family…