ARTICLE - DEFAMATION OR BALD HEADS

PRESIDENT MARTELLY LAWYERS DEMAND BALD HEADS FOR DEFAMATION
(Defend Haiti) -

PORT-AU-PRINCE - President Michel Martelly has sent lawyers to Andre Michel, also a lawyer, for alleged defamation at Scoop FM radio. The presidency's council of lawyers have threatened judicial proceedings and imprisonment if the alleged injuries of character are not corrected in three days; by either an apology or by cutting their heads bald.

According to Andre Michel, the letter was signed by the Council of Lawyers of President Michel Martelly including Gregory Mayard-Paul.

Andre Michel says the president's representatives have asked him and his colleagues for a public apology, or for him to cut his hair, because of some declarations he made on Scoop FM Radio.

As for what was said, Andre Michel says that he had only called for an investigation into several murders that have occurred in the capital, and that arrests be made for all involved in the crime. Michel says he called for the arrest of even persons within the government of Haiti.

Andre Michel says he also spoke on combating the establishment of the "pink militia", the army that some believe the presidency intends to establish without the consultation of other powers of government or civil society.

Also, Michel says he spoke on fighting for respect for the Constitution, and respect for the law. At this same time on Scoop FM, Andre Michel said that the president should cooperate with the senate commission investigating the nationalities of members of the executive.

It is for these reasons that Mr. Michel says the agents of the presidency have sent him the communication.

Mr Michel says the letter gives him 3 days to apologize to the president and say "sorry papa", or to cut his head bald, and if these things are not done in 3 days, the presidency would send the justice after him, put him in prison, and any other means they find reasonable.

A reporter for Radio Kiskeya asked Mr. Michel; at the moment, what steps is he taking?

Mr. Michel says he has contacted his colleagues and his friends of the 77, because it is clearly an attack against them and his person. Michel says he will contact the President of the Chamber of Deputies and the President of the Senate of the Republic.