ARTICLE - PRESIDENCY SUSPENDS COUNCILLOR

THE PRESIDENCY TEMPORARILY SUSPENDS ONE OF ITS COUNCILLORS
(Haiti Libre) -

The Presidency has learned with sadness the news of the death of Mr. Octanol Dérissaint, which occurred in Fonds Parisien, Wednesday, April 18, 2012, in circumstances not yet clear; and presents its sympathies to the family of the victim.

The Presidency of the Republic is very concerned by the alleged involvement of its Councillor Calixte Valentin in this case, and hopes that light will be shed about the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident that occurred after an exchange of fire.

Meanwhile, it informs that Mr. Valentin is temporarily suspended from duty. The Presidency of the Republic, concerned about the respect of human life and of the establishment of a rule of law in the country, is launching an appeal for calm to the population of Fonds Parisien in general, and to the family of the victim, and especially encourages the use of dialogue and justice for the resolution of disputes; in the respect of individual liberties and of the rule of law.

The facts:

Councillor Calixte Valentin is accused [by the victim's brother] of premeditated murder, last Wednesday, during a shootout. Octanol Dérissaint, a merchant of 32 years of Fonds Parisien, near the Haitiano-Dominican border. Calixte Valentin appeared Friday afternoon before the Government Commissioner of Croix-des-Bouquets, and then was led to the civil prison of Port-au-Prince. Councillor Calixte recognizes the fact that a gunfight broke out, and to having fired shots into the air, but he rejects the allegations of murder, of which the brother of the victim has accused him. Supporters of Councillor, have protested strongly against his arrest and threaten to go to the streets to demand his release.