March 17, 2026
Canadian justice has sentenced Gérald Nicolas, 54, to five years in prison for planning and facilitating a terrorist activity in Haiti. The defendant, originally from Lévis and of Haitian nationality, stood trial for three weeks before the Superior Court.
Judge Louis Dionne found that Nicolas had left Canada to prepare an armed action and had posted calls on social media for the overthrow of the Haitian government. The sentence includes two years for leaving the country with the intent to commit a terrorist act and three years for facilitating a terrorist activity.
The prosecution showed that Nicolas made several trips to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, sending logistical materials such as tents and a generator. Posts on his “Diaspora en croisade” page calling for armed rebellion were deemed aggravating by the judge.
The defense had requested a symbolic sentence or a short time in custody, arguing that Nicolas merely wished to support his country of origin. The prosecution initially sought eight years, but the court opted for a mid-range sentence of five years, noting that each offense carries a maximum of 14 years.
Upon delivery of the judgment, Nicolas denied any terrorist intent, saying he was “not a bad man” and wanted to “give a voice to his people.” The judge, however, underscored the inconsistency between those statements and his online posts referring to a “bloody, merciless armed revolution.”
