Haitian senator’s family to appeal denial of asylum request
Published:Friday | April 22, 2022 | 12:10 AMTanesha Mundle/Staff Reporter
The wife and children of former Haitian Senator Joseph Joel John, who has been linked to the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, have been denied asylum in Jamaica but will be appealing to National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang to have the decision reconsidered.
Joseph, 59; his wife, Edume, 38; and their sons – Schopenhauer, 17, and a nine-year-old boy – were arrested on January 14 in Warminster, St Elizabeth, and charged with illegal entry.
The court was told that the family had fled Haiti out of concern for their safety after Mrs John was attacked by a gunman.
Since their arrest, the former senator has consented to be extradited to the United States and will be handed over to the American authorities soon.
Attorney-at-law Donahue Martin, who is representing the family, had previously informed the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court that he had applied to the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency for refugee status for the family as their safety was at risk in their homeland.
But when the case was mentioned yesterday, he told Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque that his clients have received a response from the eligibility committee, which has ruled against granting them asylum.
Martin begged the judge to bear with him and to adjourn the matter against the remaining Haitians as he intends to appeal to the minister on his clients’ instruction and has seven days in which to do so.
He indicated further that given his clients’ situation, he preferred to explore all the possible avenues.
Furthermore, Martin said, “In these circumstances, if these persons cannot be deemed refugees, I don’t know who can.”
In the meantime, the prosecution yesterday abandoned the illegal entry case against the ex-senator after the director of public prosecutions (DPP) entered a nolle prosequi.
“This clears the way now for arrangements to be made for your extradition to the United States. So this is your last day in Half-Way Tree, finally,” Parish Judge Cole-Montaque said to John.
John had consented to be extradited to the US from March 21 but was awaiting word from the DPP on the immigration offence.
He is listed among five fugitives wanted in connection with the former president’s assassination.
John is accused of renting four vehicles that were used by the Colombian assassins on the night of the deadly attack.
Moϊse was killed at his private residence overlooking the capital on July 7, 2021.
His wife, Martine Moϊse, was also shot in the incident but survived.