Did prosecutor order Haitian journalist’s murder?

Nearly a year and a half after the murder of Haitian journalist Garry Tesse, his killing has not been solved. In November 2022, his colleagues in Les Cayes in Haiti’s south-west peninsula protested the lack of progress in the investigation. Their sign reads: “Journalists in the South demand justice for [Garry Tesse].” (Photo: Courtesy of Le Nouvelliste)

Haitian journalist Garry Tesse was on his way to work at a local radio station in the southern city of Les Cayes when he disappeared shortly after exiting a taxi. His naked and disfigured corpse was found six days later, sparking outrage and street protests.

But the investigation into the October 2022 murder of the popular 39-year-old radio journalist has languished, leading his family and friends to accuse the government of a cover-up to protect the man in charge of prosecuting the crime, Ronald Richemond. Tesse had gone on his radio show to accuse Richemond, an influential local prosecutor and political appointee, of plotting to have him killed weeks before the murder. Now, a former member of Richemond’s security team has provided new details on the alleged plot.

Three days after Tesse’s dead body was discovered, Richemond issued a video statement on Facebook in which he rejected the accusations against him, and to date, Richemond has not been charged with any crime. But his controversial handling of the case, which involved the arrest of another local journalist, has led to calls for a full investigation from local media organizations and the country’s public ombudsman.

“This case must be resolved as soon as possible. A message urgently needs to be sent to prevent this chronic impunity from triggering more crimes against journalists,” said Guy Delva, president of Haitian group SOS Journalistes, who has investigated the case.

Read the full story here.

CPJ welcomes UK court’s delay on Assange extradition, calls on US to drop charges
Stella Assange, the wife of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, speaks to the media, following a ruling on whether Julian Assange can appeal against extradition from Britain to the United States, in London, Britain, March 26, 2024.
Stella Assange, wife of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, speaks to the media following the High Court ruling in London, Britain, on March 26. (Photo: Reuters/Toby Melville)

The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the British High Court’s Tuesday ruling, which could allow Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to contest his extradition to the United States.

According to the court’s decision, the U.S. government has three weeks to give assurances that Assange will be able to rely on First Amendment rights of the U.S. Constitution and to confirm whether he would be subjected to the death penalty. If the U.S. fails to provide proper assurances, Assange will be granted permission to appeal his extradition. 

The next hearing is scheduled for May 20. The U.S. assurances must be filed by April 16, according to the court documents.

“We are glad that the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the United States will be delayed,” said CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg, in New York. “His prosecution in the U.S. under the Espionage Act would have disastrous implications for press freedom.”


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Journalists Attacked

Garry Tesse

KILLED



Haitian journalist Garry Tesse disappeared on his way to the Radio Lebon FM station in Les Cayes on October 18, 2022. His body was found six days later on the seashore and showed signs of severe torture.

Authorities opened a murder investigation, but the circumstances of Tesse’s death have remained shrouded in mystery since one of the principal suspects was released from jail in December 2023, leading to accusations of a cover-up by local press advocacy group SOS Journalistes.

Tesse, 39, was a vocal critic of political and judicial corruption on his midday radio show, “Gran Lakou” (Creole for “Big Yard”), on Radio Lebon FM. He was especially critical of a local prosecutor, stating on his radio show shortly before his death that there was a plot by the prosecutor to have him killed.

In at least 8 out of 10 cases, the murderers of journalists go free. CPJ is waging a global campaign against impunity.

The Committee to Protect Journalists promotes press freedom worldwide.

We defend the right of journalists to report the news safely and without fear of reprisal.

journalists killed in 2024 (motive confirmed)
imprisoned in 2023
missing globally