Rudolphe Jaar, the man alleged to have provided weapons and logistical support in the assassination of Haiti's former President Jovenel Moise.
In a significant development in the case of Haiti's former President Jovenel Moise's assassination, Rudolphe Jaar, the man alleged to have provided weapons and logistical support to the execution squad, has been sentenced to life in prison.
A businessman of Haitian and Chilean heritage, Jaar admitted to his pivotal role in the assassination conspiracy, providing critical resources to the Colombian mercenaries tasked with carrying out the murder. The former drug trafficker pleaded guilty in March to charges of conspiracy to commit murder or kidnapping outside the U.S., as well as providing material support resulting in death.
The prosecution argued that the original intent of the plot was to kidnap President Moise. However, the plot took a deadly turn, culminating in the assassination. In addition to supplying the weapons, Jaar's funds were allegedly used to bribe members of the Presidential security detail, as disclosed during the court proceedings.
Jaar's guilty plea is the first among the 11 individuals arrested and charged in the United States concerning the assassination plot. The roster of defendants encompasses a diverse group, including former Senator Joseph Joel John who was apprehended and deported from Jamaica after being found in hiding with his family, members of the Haitian diaspora, a Colombian army captain, and a Venezuelan-born individual who owns a Florida-based private security firm.
Known as a U.S. government informant, Jaar received the maximum possible sentence following his guilty plea. His plea agreement initially suggested a sentencing range of 30 years to life. However, a pre-sentencing report categorized him as a high-risk offender, prompting the federal probation office to advocate for the upper limit of the sentencing range – a recommendation endorsed by the presiding judge.
The trial for the remaining 11 defendants involved in the assassination plot is slated for July.
Advertisements
