Haitian PM has ‘relationship of trust’ with presidential assassination suspect, new evidence shows

New evidence in the attack on Haitian President Jovenel Moïse shows that incumbent Prime Minister Ariel Henry “maintained contact” with a leading suspect in the murder “and the two remained in close contact even after “attack, New York Times report.

Phone records viewed by Times, combined with interviews with Haitian officials and a leading suspect in the case, revealed “potentially incriminating details” about Henry’s relationship with Joseph Felix Badio, “a former Justice Department official wanted by Haitian authorities on suspicion of organizing the 7/7 attacks.” For example, Times Reportedly, the two men are said to have talked before the attack and after that, Badio is even said to have visited Henry while authorities were looking for him.

A spokesman for Henry denied the prime minister spoke with or had any relationship with Badio. It is not clear at this time if Henry did anything to help the suspects in the case.

The Times also spoke with investigative suspect Rodolphe Jaar, who provided “extensive details” about what he described as a “relationship of trust” between Badio and Henry.

Jaar, a Haitian businessman and drug dealer who helped finance and plan the assassination, said Badio described Henry as his “good friend” and claimed he had ” full control over him”, Times reports, noting that the exchange is said to have taken place when Henry was appointed prime minister.

Jaar also alleges, among other assertions, that Badio had “seeked help” from Henry to escape, and that Henry told him “he was going to make some calls”. Times cannot independently verify such claims).

Three Haitian officials in the investigation confirmed that Henry was “connected with [Badio] on many occasions,” Times report. Officials said Henry would be an official suspect in the case if he didn’t hold the government accountable. Read more at New York Times.