July 12, 2025
Claude Joseph, indicted in the investigation into the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse on July 7, 2021, once again appeared before the court of appeal to defend his right to a balanced investigation. He denounced “an attempt to accuse Jovenel Moïse’s collaborators while ignoring those who saw him as an enemy,” questioning the motives driving the inquiry.
In his plea, the former prime minister submitted six key documents to the court, urging it to “verify whether there is any link between the assassination and the facts mentioned.” Among them is a resolution dated October 23, 2019, aiming to suspend the electricity purchase contract with Sogener, as well as a note from ONA dated July 2, 2021, denouncing the embezzlement of one million dollars by Pierre Réginald Boulos’s company, Real Business Investment SA.
His set of documents also includes an ULCC report recommending prosecution against Boulos for this same embezzlement, a 2018 summons issued against the president by Judge Jean Roger Noelcius, and a letter from attorney Mario Beauvoir to the U.S. ambassador highlighting an accusation of Moïse’s involvement in the “La Saline Massacre.” Added to this are a letter from Prime Minister Ariel Henry dismissing Commissioner Claude Bedford over his investigation and a decision removing Rénald Lubérice for having named him as a suspect.
“I’d like to know why it’s Jovenel Moïse’s close allies who are being summoned, especially me,” Joseph declared, expressing surprise at being targeted even though the president himself had spoken of threats linked to his decisions. He forcefully reaffirmed his innocence: “I had nothing to do with the president’s assassination,” insisting that his appearance aimed to shed light on the unresolved aspects of the investigation.
As this case drags on in Haiti, the slow pace of justice has been criticized by both judges and human rights organizations. The Office for the Protection of Citizens described the investigation’s pace as “unacceptable.”
In contrast, U.S. authorities have made significant progress, with 11 suspects extradited to the United States and five of them having already pleaded guilty—including one sentenced to life in prison in Florida. This stark difference highlights the structural and security challenges of Haiti’s judicial system, plagued by gang violence and pressure on judges.
