In a shocking outcome of the investigation of the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, Martine Moïse, the victim’s widow, former Prime Minister Claude Joseph, and the former chief of Haiti’s National Police, Léon Charles, in addition to others, have been indicted, according to a 122-page report.
The document was released by Judge Walther Wesser Voltaire. He is, notably, the fifth judge to preside over the investigation of the assassination. His predecessors recused themselves due to various factors, with fear for their lives being among the leading causes.
The assassination, a grim chapter in Haiti’s turbulent political history, took place on July 7, 2021, when armed assailants stormed the president’s residence in Port-au-Prince, resulting in his death and leaving his wife severely wounded.
Judge Voltaire’s comprehensive report has led to the indictment of 51 individuals, accusing them of a range of charges from criminal association to assassination.
Among those indicted, the inclusion of Martine Moïse has sparked the most controversy and debate. Her lawyers have vehemently defended her innocence, stating, “She has no motivation for this attack,” and describing her indictment as “an embarrassment.” They argue that it unjustly challenges the legitimacy of the current Haitian government.
Claude Joseph, also named in the indictments, has criticized the move as a “weaponizing” of the Haitian justice system by current Prime Minister Ariel Henry, vehemently denying any involvement in the assassination plot. His call for international assistance in investigating the assassination underscores the complexity and international intrigue surrounding the case.
Charles, formerly the police chief at the time of Moïse’s murder and currently in the role of Haiti’s permanent delegate to the Organization of the American States, is facing the gravest allegations, including homicide, attempted homicide, unauthorized ownership and transportation of firearms, plotting against the domestic security of the nation, and involvement in various criminal activities.
The assassination led to the arrest of 44 individuals by Haitian authorities, including 20 Colombians, highlighting the suspected international dimension of the conspiracy. The United States has also charged 11 men, six of whom have pleaded guilty to participating in a plot initially intended to kidnap, but which ultimately led to the assassination of President Moïse.
Central to the accusations is the claim that Martine Moïse, in collusion with Police Chief Joseph, aimed to replace her late husband as Haiti’s president. This assertion is part of a broader narrative of political ambition and intrigue, suggesting a deep-seated power struggle within Haiti’s political elite.
The fallout from the assassination and subsequent indictments has not only plunged Haiti into deeper political instability but also raised questions about the integrity of its justice system. Critics argue that the indictments may be politically motivated, aimed at discrediting opponents and consolidating power within the current administration. The complexity of the case is further compounded by the involvement of foreign nationals, including Colombian mercenaries and Haitian Americans, pointing to a well-orchestrated plot that spans beyond Haiti’s borders.
The charges are likely to cause additional instability in Haiti while it grapples with a spike in gang-related crimes and rebounds from a series of violent demonstrations insisting on the stepping-down of existing Prime Minister Henry.