The investigating judge Me Lamarre Bélizaire, who is the subject of a motion for recusal "for incompetence and bias" by the lawyers of former President Aristide continued to instruct his investigation against the former President of Haiti charged with "[...] llicit drug trafficking, embezzlement of public funds, forfeiture and concussion, and money laundering," according to the terms of the mandate to appear issued by Judge Lamarre Bélizaire https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-11805-haiti-justice-j-b-aristide-summoned-to-court.html Given the abscence of Aristide to the appearance, in accordance with the law (Article 30/77 of the Criminal Procedure Code), the investigating judge has issued an arrest warrant against former President https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-11812-haiti-justice-arrest-warrant-issued-against-j-b-aristide.html

While the lawyers of the former president and some jurists, ppublicly stated that their request for recusal is suspensive and that the judge can continue his instruction, although they omit to specify that under Article 418 of the code of criminal, even if there was recusal, the judge could stop his instruction except and only if the Court of Cassation took a decision to this effect, which would be served to judge. In the absence of this potential decision insofar as the Court of Cassation be seized of this request let's recall (the Court of Cassation, has no time period for making a decision), the law allows the judge to continue its investigation and the warrant issued against Aristide, remains in force.

Moreover, in the course of its instruction, Me Bélizaire auditioned last Friday the former Prime Minister Yvon Neptune and 4 other persons summoned to appear. In addition, Me Lamarre Bélizaire regrets and is critical at the slowness of police services to arrest and bring, willingly or unwillingly, has his office the former President Aristide.

It should be said that beyond the law, the situation around the residence of the former President is very tense and the risk of social explosion is real, not to mention the significant political dimension in this case. Partisans entrenched behind barricades, since the issuance of warrant https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-11822-haiti-social-strong-tension-front-the-residence-of-j-b-aristide.html block access to the residence and say they are determined to oppose the forces of order, to prevent the arrest of their leader. Last Thursday increased tensions was noted, while police vehicles have been noticed near the residence of Aristide.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-11853-haiti-politic-new-demonstration-in-support-to-president-j-b-aristide.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-11822-haiti-social-strong-tension-front-the-residence-of-j-b-aristide.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-11805-haiti-justice-j-b-aristide-summoned-to-court.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-11805-haiti-justice-j-b-aristide-summoned-to-court.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-11766-haiti-justice-travel-ban-for-aristide-who-is-right.html

SL/ HaitiLibre