Changes in Haiti
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The prosecutor on Tuesday said there was enough evidence to charge the Prime Minister Ariel Henry as a result of the assassination of former president Jovenel Moïse, whose assassination caused chaos in Caribbean politics.
The plaintiff, Bed-Ford Claude, asked the judge to convict Henry and prevent him from leaving the country. “There are so many types it’s hard to say. . . to prosecute Henry and ask him to convict them, “Claude wrote, according to the Associated Press.
Henry, who did not comment on the matter, was appointed Prime Minister on July 5 by Möise. Two days later, Möise was assassinated in his home by former freedom fighters, sparking political upheaval.
Foreign Minister Claude Joseph took over as prime minister before handing over to Henry on July 20 after being pressured by the ambassador. The so-called “Large Group” – which includes representatives of several major powers including the US, UN and former French colonists – said Henry should be given the job.
According to Bed-Ford Claude, just hours after his assassination, Henry spoke with him on the telephone Joseph Félix Badio, a former law minister appointed by Colombian police as the main suspect in the killings and is on the run.
Claude said he did his best not to meet with Henry but to report the call that took place between 4 a.m. and 4.30am on July 7, just hours after his assassination. The plaintiff said his testimony against the Prime Minister was based on his writings.
More than 40 people are being held in connection with the Möise assassination, including more than a dozen former Colombian soldiers, who are is accused of being a militia. Police are still working to find the suspects, including Badio.
The assassination of Moïse plunged Haiti into chaos as politicians, business leaders and powerful prosecutors compete for power in the midst of violence and food and oil shortages. Moïse’s widow has accused her husband’s critics of plotting to assassinate him politically and commercially.
Since the assassination, southern Haiti has been hit again great earthquake 7.2 which killed more than 2,000 people and destroyed thousands of homes. The world is still reeling from the devastating earthquake of the last decade, which has claimed hundreds of lives.