Overview:
Throughout a press briefing on Tuesday, Feb. 18, the judicial unit of the Haitian police introduced that it had issued 16 search warrants, two of which had been for ex-senator Nenel Cassy and ex-deputy Alfredo Antoine for his or her alleged connections to gangs, felony associations, and roles in fueling violence
PORT-AU-PRINCE — Haiti’s Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ) has issued 16 search warrants, together with for former senator Nenel Cassy of Fanmi Lavalas and former deputy Alfredo Antoine of Konvansyon Inite Demokratik (KID). A spokesperson for the Haitian Nationwide Police (PNH), Lionel Lazarre, said on Tuesday, Feb. 18, that these people performed key roles in latest gang assaults, together with these in Kenscoff, a hilly commune about 15 miles southeast of Port-au-Prince.
Each Cassy and Antoine are accused of aiding gangs and obstructing regulation enforcement efforts. They’re being charged with conspiracy in opposition to state safety, financing felony organizations, complicity in homicide, and affiliation with armed teams.
“What’s occurring isn’t resulting from police incapability, however relatively the state of affairs’s complexity,” mentioned Lazarre at a press briefing. “There may be complicity from a bunch of individuals—throughout the police, amongst former parliamentarians, political organizations and ex-ministers—who sabotage safety efforts.”
“We have now understood that there’s complicity from a bunch of individuals, both throughout the police establishment, or amongst former parliamentarians, political organizations, and former ministers who’re affiliated with teams that sabotage the police’s work.”
Lionel Lazarre, the HPN spokesperson.
The warrants comply with a number of latest arrests, together with that of Loubens “Tilawòch” Roland, who reportedly facilitated gang actions in Kenscoff. He was accountable for greasing the roads, making it troublesome to entry areas managed by the gangs, in response to the PNH. Since Jan. 27, the city has been underneath assault from gangs based mostly within the Carrefour, Gran Ravin and Village de Dieu areas.
DCPJ investigators say proof hyperlinks the 16 wished people, together with Cassy and Antoine, to the destabilization of Kenscoff and different areas within the metropolitan area. The DCPJ calls on the inhabitants to assist monitor down these allegedly very harmful people.
“We urge the general public to assist find these harmful people,” the PNH spokesperson implored.
Longstanding allegations in opposition to the ex-lawmakers
Cassy has lengthy been suspected of involvement in gang actions, arms trafficking and illicit financing. In December 2023, the U.S. sanctioned him alongside former Prime Minister Iean-Max Bellerive and ex-Senator Hervé Fourcand, citing their involvement in corruption and safety threats. Earlier than the U.S., Canada additionally sanctioned Cassy and businessman Steeve Khawly in March 2023, freezing their belongings and barring them from entry.
Antoine has a historical past of authorized troubles. In 2015, he was briefly detained for forgery whereas campaigning for workplace. In November 2023, Haiti’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) really useful authorized motion in opposition to him for corruption and cash laundering.
Following Tuesday’s arrest warrant, Antoine took to Facebook to disclaim any gang affiliations.
“On my solution to the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police,” Antoine posted, suggesting he would possibly flip himself in.
“I’m an genuine citizen and don’t have any ties with armed bandits. If the police attempt to make me appear to be an confederate by reporting criminals, they need to know that I’ve been a fighter all my life,” he wrote.
Opposite to his announcement, the previous lawmaker didn’t set foot within the DCPJ following the search warrant launched in opposition to him.