'A classic coup d'état': Former Haitian Prime Minister denies involvement in presidential assassination

HAITI – The former first lady of Haiti, as well as the ex-Prime Minister have been indicted in the assassination plot of Haitian President Jovenel Moise.

Both are facing charges of complicity and criminal association.

Local 10 News’ Calvin Hughes first interviewed Martine Moise following her husband’s death three years ago, where she denied any involvement.

When a wounded Moise returned to Haiti wearing a bulletproof vest, several months after her husband’s death, she was greeted at the airport by then-Prime Minister Claude Joseph.

The nation grieved with them.

Now, more than two and half years later, their nation is rocked by new charges that both Moise and Joseph were part of the presidential assassination plot, along with 48 others.

In the 122-page report, filed by Haiti’s lead investigative judge, Moise allegedly said days after the president’s death that “her husband had not done anything for us” as president, and she wanted to succeed him in office with the help of then prime-minister Joseph. That moment showed her involvement, along with other evidence, according to the report.

Monday in an exclusive interview with Local 10 News, Joseph accused the judges of weaponizing the legal system.

“This is what I call a classic coup d’état,” said Joseph. “They think that Martine Moise, myself, and those who were close to Jovenel Moise, will win any election that will happen in Haiti, therefore, they are fighting us.”

Haiti’s former police chief was also named in the indictment.

All accused have been ordered to be taken into custody, but each has a right to an appeal under Haitian law.

The next step will be for Haiti’s chief justice to organize a trial.


About the Author

Five-time Emmy Award-winning newscaster Calvin Hughes anchors WPLG-Local 10's 4, 5, 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts.

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