Legislative

Haiti: Deputies Reopen Arnel Bélizaire Arrest Case

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (defend.ht) - The Lower House of Parliament has reopened the case of the arrest of Deputy Arnel Bélizaire (Delmas & Tabarre/Veye-Yo) setting up a commission and session to be held on January 2nd, 2012 that could lead to sanctions against two members of the government and the President of the Republic.

On October 28th, 71 deputies, although out of session, resolved to not recognize the authority of four (4) members of the government. The Minister of the Interior, Minister of Justice, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and the Government Commissioner.

Through actions of the senate, the Minister of Justice, Josue Pierre Louis, resigned from his seat at the ministry in November and the Government Commissioner, Félix Léger, was decommissioned but deputies still feel the other two members of government, still functioning, have questions to answer.

A commission of nine (9) members was established to inquire into the implication of the Minister of the Interior, Thierry Mayard-Paul and the former Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, now the Minister of Justice, Pierre Michel Brunache as it pertained to the arrest of the deputy.

The formation of the commission was confirmed by the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Sorel Jacinthe (Moron & Chamberllan/Inite) who expects to receive the commission's report on January 2nd.

Deputy President Jacinthe also added that the former President of the Chamber, Levaillant Louis Jeune (Desdunes/Inite) will present his case for the indictment of the President of the Republic, Michel Martelly, for his involvement in the arrest.