By Jean Daniel Senate, Le Nouvelliste, Feb. 9, 2023
The administrative investigation last October by the General Inspectorate of the National Police of Haiti implicates a police officer in the death of journalist Romelson Vilcin.
This was reported by the police who sent a letter to the National Association of Haitian Media (ANMH).
According to a letter received by Le Nouvelliste sent to Jacques Sampeur, president of the ANMH, “The investigation conducted concluded that the police officer was at fault and the General Inspectorate of the National Police of Haiti produced recommendations for sanctions to the decision-making body, which will take the appropriate measures."
The nature of the sanctions along with the identity of the police officer have not been revealed. According to an anonymous source known to Le Nouvelliste, these details cannot be shared until senior management at the PNH give their approval.
Romelson was killed on October 30, 2022, while taking part in a demonstration to demand the release of his colleague Robest Dimanche, arrested on the same day. He was hit by a tear gas canister in the head.
According to a neurosurgeon who treated him, “he died in the emergency room" as a result of the impact of the tear gas canister.
Translated by CHIP editors
Posted Feb. 18, 2023