Friday Godson Orélus, the former Director General of the National Police of Haiti (PNH), accompanied by his lawyer Me Eugène Pierre-Louis, introduced himself as a witness at the request of Judge Luméran Dieunel of the Court of First Instance (TPI), which is investigating, among other things, the security company Global Dynasty Corp SA and seeking to ascertain whether the former police chief had given the authorization to purchase firearms to this company and what type of authorization he had given.

After the hearing and to the surprise of Godson Orélus and his lawyer two agents proceeded on the order of the Judge, to the arrest of the former DG of the PNH. Protesting, his lawyer said "We are in front of a case of characterized abuse of authority. My client was never charged, he was invited as a witness." Moreover, stating that his client had nothing to do with the seizure of firearms at the customs of Saint-Marc in September 2016 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18569-haiti-flash-worrying-seizure-of-weapons-from-the-usa.html emphasizing that the judge had never auditioned his client on this seizure of weapons.

In the warrant of deposit dated October 26, 2018, Judge Lumeran states that Godson Orelus is "[...] Charged with complicity in transnational crime, illicit trafficking in firearms, ammunition and criminal conspiracy [...] Order the commander of the said prison to receive him and detain him until further notice [...]"

Godson Orélus was imprisoned in Saint Marc prison, his lawyer who denounces the arbitrariness of the decision of the Judge, said he filed a motion for release (mainlevée d’écrou) to obtain the release of his client who enjoys the guarantee of representation and under the presumption of innocence.

Since the prison, Godson Orelus has confirmed "The judge did not question me about this case of arms shipment [...] the judge's questions concerned only authorizations granted to security companies."

To be continued...

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25491-haiti-usa-case-of-the-cargo-of-weapons-of-st-marc-the-two-suppliers-arrested.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18708-haiti-justice-the-investigation-on-the-seizure-of-weapons-in-st-marc-progresses.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18569-haiti-flash-worrying-seizure-of-weapons-from-the-usa.html

PI/ HaitiLibre