Former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide has been placed under house arrest as a judge continues to investigate allegations of corruption, money laundering and drugs smuggling involving the former leader and close allies.
As a result of the ruling issued by Judge Lamarre Belizaire, the residence of the former president, is being guarded by agents of the prison administration, known as APENA, while the perimeter of the residence will be guarded by agents of the Central Department of the Judicial Police (DCPJ ).
Justice Belizaire also ruled that he alone, as the judge in charge of the case, could now authorise anyone to visit the former head of state at his residence.
Last week, the head of the police service in Haiti appeared before the judge to answer why law enforcement officials had not arrested Aristide, despite an arrest warrant being issued. Police Chief, Godson Orelus, later confirmed the police were in possession of several arrest warrants, but would not elaborate.
Aristide and several of his former colleagues have been accused of embezzling hundreds of millions of dollars from the State through his organisation, Aristide for Democracy Foundation and other organisations during the period 2001-04.
Aristide, a former Roman Catholic priest, and his colleagues including Mirlande Liberus, Yvon Neptune, Jean Nesty Lucien and Gustave Faubert, have also been banned from leaving the country. Lawyers representing Aristide have already filed a motion seeking to have Justice Bélizaire removed on the grounds of bias.
All feeds
