JAMAICA | Family of former Haitian Senator John Joël Joseph seek asylum in Jamaica

KINGSTON, February 16, 2022 - Family members of former Haitian senator Jean Joël Joseph, a prime suspect in last year's assassination of Hatian President Jovenel Moïse, are seeking asylum in Jamaica.

This disclosure came  on Tuesday when Jean Joël Joseph and his family appeared in the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Court on immigration-related charges.

Attorney representing the Josephs, Donahue Martin, said he made an application for asylum in Jamaica, to the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) under the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its protocols, to avoid having them return to Haiti where they fear they will be killed.

Senior Parish Judge Lori-Ann Cole-Montague has ruled that Joseph's wife, 38-year-old Edume, and his two sons, 18-year-old Schopenhauer and a nine-year-old lad, who were charged with illegal entry, will have their bail extended and  are to return to court on March 3.

It is understood that Joseph and his family  arrived on the island illegally by boat in December. He is said to be  one of three key suspects who are being sought in relation to the assassination of former Haitian President Jovenel Moïse. 

Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was killed and his wife wounded on July 7, 2021 when a hit team of about 20 men invaded the presidential residence and shot him dead.His wife, Martine was wounded but survived. Judicial police have questioned at least 21 presidential guards who were present on the fateful night.

Joseph and three family members were arrested in St. Elizabeth on January 14 during an operation in Warminster district, St Elizabeth. 

He is the second suspect to be held in Jamaica. The first was former Colombian soldier Mario Antonio Palacios Palacios, who was arrested in late October by Jamaican police. 

Following his court appearance in Jamaica, he was deported to his native Colombia earlier this month. Palacios was however intercepted and notified by United States authorities that he was being extradited to America to face charges there.

It's understood that even though there is no extradition treaty between Haiti and Jamaica, Joseph could be sent back to his native country.