Judges Interrogate Former Haitian Prime Minister: Former Haitian Prime Minister Claude Joseph faced intense questioning on Wednesday as judges delved into the investigation surrounding the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021.
Moïse was fatally shot when armed intruders invaded his bedroom in July of that year, an incident that also left the former first lady injured.
Last year, both Joseph and Moïse’s widow, Martine Moise, were charged with complicity and criminal association by a judge. They have consistently rejected these claims, with Joseph describing the indictment report as “political, unjust, and flawed” during Wednesday’s proceedings.
This marked the first occasion Joseph has provided testimony since some suspects’ legal representatives successfully challenged a court ruling that deemed there was enough evidence for a trial to proceed.
Despite ongoing investigations, numerous questions remain unresolved.
Throughout several hours of interrogation on Wednesday, Joseph reiterated his lack of involvement in the conspiracy to assassinate the president. The judges probed him on how he could be unaware of such a plot while serving as head of Haiti’s National Police High Council.
“It is indeed perplexing to many, including myself, that a head of state could be assassinated within his residence without any response from his security detail,” remarked Joseph. Notably, none of Moïse’s security personnel sustained injuries during the attack.
The judges are assessing whether there exists sufficient evidence to justify proceeding with trials for the twenty suspects detained in Haiti.
Additionally, Joseph stated he was unfamiliar with Haitian-Americans James Solages and Christian Emmanuel Sanon—key figures linked to the case. Sanon, who identifies as a pastor and physician and has faced business failures, believed he would assume leadership in Haiti rather than expecting Moïse’s arrest.
Both men are currently awaiting trial in a U.S. federal court where Martine Moïse is anticipated to give testimony. Meanwhile, Haitian judges have summoned her to return to Haiti for her own testimony; however, she is not likely to comply.
