Prison - Haiti Observer Blog

Department of Justice prosecutors petitioned the Court on Tuesday, March 10th, invoking the Rule 35 motion, to request a reduction of Robert Antoine's four-year prison term he is currently serving, for embezzlment in a kick-back scheme, between Haiti Teleco and telecom firms, Terra and Cinergy, based in Florida. According to prosecutors, Antoine has "provided ample assistance to all law agencies," entitling him to a reconsideration of his sentence.

During the Court's hearing on the Rule 35 motion, the "particulars of the defendant's cooperation will be submitted at court," according to the petition.

Antoine, one-time overseer of Haiti Teleco's international operations, received bribes in excess of $1 million, in return for providing steep discounts in telephone rates and automatic contract renewals, in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

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A ruling on the charges on former Haitian Dictator Jean Claude Duvalier was finally delivered. Government prosecutor Carves Jean, the judge responsible for investigating the case decided that Jean Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier is to face trial for corruption during the 15-year he was in power in Haiti. Duvalier is alleged to have embezzled between $300 million and $800 million of assets during his presidency.

Not a bad job for 15 years of work!

It was very surprising that the judge didn't think it was necessary for Jean Claude Duvalier to face trial for human rights abused that took place on his watch. We are talking about things like murder, disappearance, torture and other rights abuses for which several people alleged to have been the victims. Several Human Rights groups want Jean Claude Duvalier and some high officials in his government to go on trial for crimes committed in that period.

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Were these Haitians inspired by the prison break following the earthquake of last January?

The "Haitian Joudalist" learned that two inmates from Haiti National Penitentiary had a clever idea and wanted to execute it last Sunday. They were trying to escape from the prison roof but instead shot dead.

What kind of planning is that? I guess Haiti National Penitentiary that was damaged by the January earthquake, offered them a golden opportunity to escape prison, and as it was done over nine months ago, many prisoners think this time they could escape as well.

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