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Alert

New threats to inquiry into assassination of journalist Jean Dominique

(RSF/IFEX) - In a letter to Minister of Justice Gary Lissade, RSF expressed its profound concern following the uncovering of an assumed plot to assassinate Judge Claudy Gassant, who is overseeing the inquiry into the assassination of journalist Jean Dominique, and Senator Prince Pierre Sonson, who has been calling for justice in the case for some time. RSF called for the opening of an investigation into these death threats. The organisation also asked the minister to do everything possible to guarantee the two men's safety. "It is your duty and responsibility to ensure the protection of the judge and all persons concerned by the inquiry," recalled RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard. The organisation noted that it was "troubled" by the inadequate security measures put in place by the authorities to protect the judge.




According to information broadcast on 8 June 2001 by the Radio Haïti Inter station, a contract was put on the lives of Judge Gassant and Senator Sonson. During a meeting held on 6 June, it was reportedly decided to assassinate Judge Gassant before the publication of the inquiry's conclusions. Gassant has been the target of threats and acts of intimidation on several occasions. He is the second judge to lead the inquiry into Dominique's assassination. His predecessor, Jean-Sénat Fleury, abandoned the case after coming under pressure.

Senator Sonson, a member of the ruling Fanmi Lavalas Party, has regularly urged that the journalist's assassination not remain unpunished. In January, he asked Senator Dany Toussaint to respond to the summons of a judge who wanted to call him as a witness in the case. A majority of senators opposed the summons, citing Toussaint's parliamentary immunity. On 13 April, unknown persons threw rocks and shot automatic rifle fire at Sonson's home. No injuries were reported in the incident. Sonson attributed the attack to his opinions, notably concerning Dominique's assassination.

Moreover, according to sources close to the inquiry, some of the men assigned to protect Judge Gassant are unable to take on the job. Several weapons and the two vehicles that the Ministry of Justice had earmarked for the inquiry less than one month ago have already been taken away. This equipment had been given over to the inquiry even though the investigative team had indicated that it was defective. The equipment was not replaced, even though it is currently being repaired.

On 8 June, Gassant submitted the inquiry's conclusions to the government superintendent (state prosecutor). The superintendent had five days to request further information from the judge. Afterwards, the judge's ruling, which includes the names of persons who are to be arrested or charged, is to be made public. Informed of the charges against him on 25 May, Toussaint attributed them to "a vast conspiracy" and did not respond to the three subpoenas issued by the judge during the week of 4 June.

On the very day that the judge submitted his conclusions to the government superintendent, about forty Haitian civil society organisations published an open letter in which they expressed their determination to see the case reach a successful conclusion.

On 3 April 2000, Dominique, the best known journalist and political analyst in the country, was killed in the courtyard of his radio station, Radio Haïti Inter. Known for his independent tone, the journalist was critical of former Duvalier officials and soldiers, powerful families and the bourgeoisie. More recently, he criticised those he suspected within the Fanmi Lavalas, President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's party, of seeking to "divert this movement from its principles." In a report published on 2 April, RSF denounced the fact that the inquiry was nearly cut short several times.