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Haiti - Bahamas : A Haitian student sentenced to 3 years in prison for attempted fraud 23/02/2020 09:37:07
Fils-Aime was arrested in the Bahamas by immigration authorities on January 28, 2020 when he arrived at the airport, in possession of a passport (which was not his) bearing the photo and name of "Johnny Tannis", from a Bahamian status application and a birth certificate. After being questioned in the presence of an interpreter, he revealed his real identity and told the police that he had given this false name on the advice of his aunt in order to obtain Bahamian status. He pleaded guilty to all charges. When he appeared in court, speaking through a translator, Jamesly Fils-Aimé in tears said he explained to the judge that he was studying agriculture in Haiti and was due to graduate in December "I want to say sorry to the Bahamian community and Haitian community in The Bahamas [...] My heart is breaking to find myself in this position like this", he declared adding "I’m sorry that I made this error. That will never happen again because that was not my intention." However, Magistrate Vogt-Evans said that while sympathizing with Fils-Aime's plight, she believed that a university educated man should be better informed of the immigration laws of the Bahamas and understand the consequences of his choices "[...] This is not just a simple illegal landing or overstaying case [...] you had false documents and you would have presented those documents to the authorities and then you would have lied to the authorities in The Bahamas [...] You are aware of the security and health issues that we face. You are aware of the economic strain of foreigners on The Commonwealth of The Bahamas. The Bahamas must protect its country. The greatest gift a Bahamian can have is citizenship. You dare to steal that and for that you must be punished [...] The court must send a clear message to would be offenders that that will not be tolerated." Jamesly Fils-Aimé was sentenced to 3 years in prison and was informed that he had the right to appeal this sentence. He was sent to the Bahamas Correctional Department to serve his sentence, after which he will be deported to Haiti. SL/ HaitiLibre
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