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, partners urge UN to release full report on journalist Issam Abdallah’s murder
The camera that belonged to Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah, who was killed by Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on October 13, is displayed at a press conference by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch as they released findings from their investigations into his death in Beirut, Lebanon, on December 7, 2023.
The camera that belonged to Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah, who was killed by Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on October 13, is displayed at a press conference by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch on December 7, 2023. (Photo: Reuters/Emilie Madi)

The Committee to Protect Journalists joined its international partners on Friday in signing a letter urging the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNFIL) to publish its investigation into the murder of Reuters video journalist Issam Abdallah, who was killed by Israeli forces in south Lebanon on October 13, 2023. Four journalists injured in the same attack also signed the letter.

According to Reuters, which published the conclusions of the seven-page report summarizing the investigation, UNIFIL found that an Israeli tank killed Abdallah by firing two 120 mm rounds at a group of “clearly identifiable journalists” in violation of international law.

UNIFIL personnel did not record any exchange of fire across the border between Israel and Lebanon for more than 40 minutes before the Israeli Merkava tank opened fire, according to the excerpts of the UNFIL report.  

The letter, addressed to U.N. Secretary General António Guterres and other leaders, reflects CPJ’s wider calls for action by the international community, published December 2023.


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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