Prezidansyèl
Haiti: President Advisor Arrested for Murder and Suspended
- Monday, April 23, 2012 5:05 PM
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (defend.ht)- Captured at Croix-des-Bouquets before being returned to Port-au-Prince, the political advisor of the head of state, who protested his innocence, is accused of premeditated murder of Octanol Dérissaint, a 32 year old food seller.
National police conducted Friday afternoon at Croix-des-Bouquets to the arrest of Calixte Valentin, political advisor to President Michel Martelly accused of shooting Wednesday night Octanol Dérissaint, a young merchant of Fond Parisien (west), in a serious altercation between the two men.
Mr. Valentin was transferred to Port-au-Prince to meet the charges against him.
In an interview with Radio Kiskeya few hours before being locked up, the aide to the head of state described as fanciful the charges against him be. However, he admitted having fired "shots in the air" to respond, he said, to a shootout that erupted in Fond Parisien.
Statements totally contrary to the testimony of relatives of Octanol Dérissaint who argue that the alleged murderer had deliberately opened fire on the family man of 32 years, killing him with three shots in the head.
“During an altercation at the customs of Malpasse, the Haitian Dominican border, Calixte Valentin had taken aim at businessman and repeatedly promised to kill him in any way”, victim’s relatives add.
Haitian president said he was very concerned by the alleged involvement of his advisor Calixte Valentin in this case and hope that light will be shed about the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident occurred after a gunfight.
Meanwhile, presidency informs that Mr. Valentin was temporarily suspended from duty.
