Former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, accused of breach of trust, of fraud and embezzlement, in two complaints, convened Thursday, January 3 at 10 am to answer questions from Me Lucmane Délille, the Government Commissioner, does not come in person and was represented by his lawyers.

Me Mario Joseph, a lawyer of Aristide, pointed out that the convocation had been served on a holiday [January 2], which is contrary to the law and only 24 hours before the date of convening, a too short a time to organize the logistics to ensure the security of Aristide and for these reasons asked a a postponement of this hearing to the public prosecutor, "It is not that we have the will to obstruct justice, since our client knows that he is justiciable, but the Government Commissioner must comply with the law."

Following this request, for irregularity, the Commissioner has accepted the request of lawyers of Aristide and set to Wednesday, January 9 at 10:00 am, the new date for the hearing of the former President.

Dieuseul Desras Simon, President of the National Assembly, said that this convocation seem to be a diversionary tactic designed to distract the population, of the socio-economic crisis of country and political issues related to the Electoral Council.

Me Newton Saint Juste, another lawyer of Aristide, considers that it is a convocation "abusive, that has nothing to do with the law. It is an approach with political reasons. The Government Commissioner, acting under the dictation of power in place [...]"

The Chief of the Public Prosecutions, disagrees against the statements according to which, there would be a political hand behind the case and asserts enforce the law ""Every citizen may file a complaint against another citizen, this question has nothing to do with politics [...] it is my duty to audition, as the Chief of the Public Prosecutions, any citizen against whom a complaint has been filed [...] We are currently testing the good faith of former President Aristide [...]" noting that nobody is above the law.

An important police force was deployed in front of the court where the former president was awaited. Several hundred activists of Fanmi Lavalas, had gathered outside the court to show their support for their leader, victim according to them, of a political machination, chanting with force, "Vive Aristide" and slogans against the Head of Government "Aristide is untouchable. Down Martelly !". A second group, which presented itself as victims of the Regime Aristide, chanting "Aristide must be tried and locked up in a prison."

The arrival of the complainants, sparked the fury of pro-Aristide, they threw stones, forcing the police to evacuate for their safety, the complainants, in of vehicles of the PNH. The police dispersed with tear gas protesters, causing no casualties, in order to restore peace and order around the court.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-7535-haiti-justice-the-commissioner-of-the-government-convenes-aristide.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-7446-haiti-justice-second-complaint-against-former-president-aristide.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-7401-haiti-justice-the-lawyer-of-aristide-examines-the-complaint-against-his-client.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-7333-haiti-justice-complaints-against-jean-bertrand-aristide.html

HL/ HaitiLibre