Police arrests senior security chief over Haiti President’s assassination

Police operatives in Haiti have arrested the head of late President Jovenel Moise’s security team as part of the ongoing investigation into the President’s July 7 assassination.

The suspect, Jean Laguel Civil, who was the head of Moise’s security team, is accused of involvement in the plot that led to the killing of the President at home by armed commandos who bypassed guards without firing a shot.

He was arrested on Monday.

Police spokesperson, Marie Michelle Verrier, who confirmed this in a broadcast on local television on Tuesday, said:

“I can confirm that Jean Laguel Civil was arrested Monday by police as part of the investigation into the assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

“Civil has been placed in solitary confinement at a prison in Delmas, near the capital, Port-au-Prince.”

Civil’s lawyer, Reynold Georges, who also confirmed the development to journalists, said his client’s arrest was politically motivated.

READ ALSO: Haiti president, Jovenel Moise, assassinated at home, wife hospitalized

Port-au-Prince commissioner, Bed-Ford Claude, had already ordered immigration authorities to prohibit four police officers who were responsible for Moise’s security from leaving the country.

Police had on Monday issued an arrest warrant for Wendelle Coq Thelot, a judge in the country’s highest court, who was sacked by the late President.

Haiti’s new Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, has promised to bring Moise’s killers to justice.

Police had so far arrested 20 Colombians in connection with the incident.

Police claimed the ex-President’s assassination was organised by a group of Haitians with foreign ties.

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