Haiti24News
February 20, 2025
PORT-AU-PRINCE—The Haitian National Police issued wanted notices for former parliamentarians Nenel Cassy and Alfredo Antoine, which has ignited a fierce legal and political debate. Prominent lawyer Samuel Madistin defends the warrants as “legally justified” given the pair’s history of evading judicial scrutiny. Cassy, a former senator, and Antoine, a former deputy, are accused of conspiring with armed gangs, financing criminal networks, and undermining state security.
The Case for Legitimacy
Madistin, a former justice minister, argued that the warrants—issued by the Central Directorate of Judicial Police (DCPJ) on February 18—are valid because both men have long-standing open files with the agency and have repeatedly ignored prior summonses. “If they have nothing to hide, they should present themselves voluntarily,” Madistin stated, emphasizing that the DCPJ’s actions align with legal protocols for suspects who avoid cooperation.
The charges against Cassy and Antoine include conspiracy against state security, financing criminal organizations, and complicity in assassination plots . Cassy, sanctioned by the U.S. in 2023 for corruption and destabilizing Haiti’s government, also faces accusations of ties to gangs implicated in mass rapes and killings . Antoine, meanwhile, has publicly denied links to gangs despite being barred from leaving Haiti in 2023 over illicit enrichment allegations .
Critics Cry Foul Over Due Process
Human rights advocates, however, have slammed the warrants as procedurally flawed. Pierre Espérance, director of the National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH), called the move “arbitrary,” noting that neither Cassy nor Antoine received formal summonses before the warrants were issued—a step he argues is legally required . “This sets a dangerous precedent,” Espérance warned, suggesting the DCPJ risks politicizing law enforcement by bypassing standard protocols .
Antoine initially vowed to surrender to authorities, declaring on social media, “I am an honest citizen fighting gangs, not aiding them” . Yet as of February 21, he had not appeared at the DCPJ, claiming the warrants are part of a “political manipulation” to silence his criticism of armed groups . Cassy, who has remained silent, was previously arrested in 2021 over the assassination of businessman Jacques Pierre Matilus .
Political Undertones
The case is entangled in Haiti’s volatile political landscape. Cassy, a former opposition figure, and Antoine, once aligned with President Jovenel Moïse’s administration, are both linked to Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé’s inner circle . Critics allege the warrants reflect factional infighting, with Espérance cautioning against using law enforcement to target rivals .
The DCPJ, meanwhile, faces scrutiny over its handling of high-profile cases. Despite issuing 16 warrants for alleged gang collaborators this week—including Cassy and Antoine—Haiti’s judiciary has a dismal track record: only one corruption conviction since 2004 .
What Comes Next
As pressure mounts, the DCPJ has urged the public to report sightings of the wanted individuals, emphasizing their “dangerous” status . Legal experts warn that procedural missteps could allow Cassy and Antoine to challenge the warrants in court, further delaying accountability .
For Haitians weary of gang violence and political impunity, the case underscores a bitter truth: justice remains elusive, and trust in institutions is fraying. “Politicians steal while we suffer,” lamented a Kenscoff resident, echoing a nationwide sentiment.
