(Reuters) – A judge concluded the investigation into one of Haiti’s most notorious political assassinations on Friday, accusing nine people of having a hand in the killing of radio journalist Jean Dominique, including several close associates of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
A former senator, Mirlande Libérus from Aristide’s political party, was indicted as the organizer of the double murder in April 2000 of Dominique, owner of Radio Haiti Inter, and a security guard, according to a summary of the judge’s report made public by an Appeals Court panel on Friday.
The two victims were shot by unidentified gunmen as Dominique drove into the radio station’s offices in Port-au-Prince, according to the judges.
Libérus was given the mission by Aristide to silence the popular journalist, the report said, citing witnesses who testified before Judge Yvikel Dabrésil.
The judge did not indict Aristide as part of the conspiracy.
Aristide did not issue a statement after the judge’s report was made public. His lawyers did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.
Dominique’s widow, Michele Montas, welcomed news of the report, saying it was a “positive step” after many years of seeking justice.
“It’s been 10 years since I gave my testimony in the case,” Montas told Reuters.
Montas moved to New York after the killing and is a former spokeswoman for the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. She declined further comment saying she has not seen a copy of the judge’s report.
The judge’s full report is due to be published in the coming weeks, after it has been formally accepted by the Appeals Court, according to Guyler Delva, who heads a local committee of investigating the cases of murdered journalists.
“It’s very encouraging,” said Delva, a former correspondent for Reuters who now runs a government-funded news website, Haiti News Network. He said it was unclear why Aristide had not been indicted. “How could you indict Libérus for receiving the order to get rid of Dominique, and not the person who gave the order,” he said.
The nine accused include Senator Libérus and Harold Severe, the former deputy mayor of Port-au-Prince. The others are Annette Auguste, Franco Camille, Merité Milien, Dimsley Milien, Toussaint Mercidieu, Jeudi Jean Daniel and Markington Michel.
None of the accused has so far been arrested and some are believed to be living abroad, including Libérus, who local media reports say resides in the United States.
Due to its political sensitivity the case has taken years to prosecute and slipped through the hands of numerous judges, one who fled the country in fear.
In all seven judges worked on the case over the span of almost 14 years. If and when a trial will be held remains unclear as the case could still be appealed to the Supreme Court.
An agronomist by training, Dominique was born into Haiti’s light-skinned mulatto elite, but broke ranks to become a champion of the country’s poor peasants.
The story of his life – and death – was made into an award-winning documentary, “The Agronomist,” by filmmaker Jonathan Demme, director of “The Silence of the Lambs.”
Wearing a trademark black leather cap, Dominique revolutionized Haitian broadcasting by addressing his audience in native Creole, rather than French, and denouncing abuses by those in power.
His scathing on-air editorials made him an enemy of Haiti’s dictators, Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier and his son Jean-Claude “Baby Doc.”
Dominique later turned his tongue against Aristide’s political party, Lavalas, accusing it of corruption and abuse of power, and was widely considered as a rival to Aristide’s bid to return to power in 2001.
(Writing and additional reporting by David Adams; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
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Mirlande Libérus convoquée à la chambre d’Instruction criminelle…
Après l’avortement de l’audition du leader charismatique du parti Fanmi Lavalas, Jean Bertrand Aristide. C’est le tour de l’ancienne sénatrice de cette structure politique, Mirlande Libérus, qui est convoquée à la chambre d’Instruction criminelle ce vendredi 8 février 2013.
05/02/2013
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Après l’avortement de l’audition du leader charismatique du parti Fanmi Lavalas, Jean Bertrand Aristide. C’est le tour de l’ancienne sénatrice de cette structure politique, Mirlande Libérus, qui est convoquée à la chambre d’Instruction criminelle ce vendredi 8 février 2013.
L’État de droit constitue l’un des axes prioritaires du gouvernement Martelly/Lamothe. Cependant, d’aucuns s’interrogent sur la mise en place permettant de parvenir à cette fin. Certains se disent sceptiques à propos. D’autres croient que l’équipe en place va persécuter les cerveaux du parti Fanmi Lavalas.
Ce n’est pas l’ancienne sénatrice du département de l’Ouest, Mirlande Libérus, qui dira le contraire. Elle est attendue vendredi 8 février 2013 à la chambre d’Instruction criminelle de la Cour d’Appel de Port-au-Prince en vue de répondre aux questions du juge Yvickel D. Dabrésil. Ce dernier est chargé du dossier du double assassinat de Jean Léopold Dominique (PDG de Radio Haïti Inter) et de Jean Claude Louissaint (gardien de ladite radio), lit-on dans la lettre de convocation.
Selon des sources proches de la Cour d’Appel, les anciens Présidents Jean Bertrand Aristide et René Garcia Préval comparaîtront immédiatement après le carnaval.
Rappelons que le 7 février 1986 est une date dont le symbolisme divise. Pour les lavalassiens, elle s’apparente à la liberté d’association et d’expression. Bref, rupture au bâillonnement. Alors que pour les duvaliéristes, c’est tout le contraire. Pillage, scènes de violence sont, entre autres horreurs, rappelant cette période.
À remarquer que dans cette correspondance portant la signature du Magistrat Yvickel D. Dabrésil une erreur s’est probablement glissée en ce qui a trait à la date. On a pu lire vendredi 6 février. Cependant vendredi sera 8 février.
When all of the debris settles, Michele Montas will have mud on her skirt, and Rene Preval will have blood on his hands. He attended the meeting at which Aristide gave the order and could have protected his friend.
As usual, Preval remained neutral and allowed his friend’s death.
Will be interesting to see what US Government says about their citizen Anne Auguste.
Also will be interesting to see how they handle the case of Senator Liberus.
The US Government has been aware of these facts since Oriel Jean was questioned, along with others, years ago.
Why wasn’t Aristide indicted? Why is he continually allowed to get away with murder? If the courts won’t take action. The people should!
What about the baby Aristide sacrificed in tabarre ceremony first week March 2000???
Harold Severe was involved with baby sacrifice after kidnap from hospital.