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| |  | | Joseph Michel François | | | context : | Haiti  | | judgement place : | Haiti | | status : | Sentenced | | particulars : | In 2000, convicted in absentia for his role in the Raboteau Massacre | | position : | Lieutenant Colonel |
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| | | | During a brief episode of constitutional order created after Haiti’s first peaceful transfer of power in 1996, the judiciary of Haiti pursued an investigation of human rights violations committed under the military regime. François was charged under the Haitian Criminal Code of criminal conspiracy and improbity. As the mastermind behind and/or accomplice of the Raboteau massacre, he was also charged with homicide and attempted homicide, assault and battery as well as illegal arrest and detention, followed by torture, pillaging, theft, damage or destruction of property, abuse of authority, property offence, crimes and misdemeanours against the constitution.
On 16 November 2000, a Haitian trial court convicted François of murder, in absentia, for his role in the Raboteau Massacre, a military/paramilitary attack on civilians. The case was based on his command responsibility and role as accomplice. The repression was considered to have been organized systematically and on a national scale. It was noted that Gonaïves, and particularly Raboteau, had been targeted throughout the coup years, and that the leadership was well aware of this repression. The attack was considered to have been planned and covered up by national military and civilian leaders.
Joseph Michel François received the mandatory sentence of forced labour for life. Under the Haitian Code of Criminal Procedure, if those convicted in absentia surrender or are arrested, they have the right to a new trial. The Court also issued a civil damages judgment against the defendants and in favour of the victims, for 1 billion gourdes (about $43 million US). | |     click for more... | | Trial Watch would like to remind its users that any person charged by national or international authorities is presumed innocent until proven guilty. | |  |  | | nationality : | | | Haiti | | | date of birth : | | | 08.05.1957 | | | last time seen : | | | San Pedro Sula, Honduras | | | period of charges : | | | 09.1991 - 09.1994 | | | judgement period : | | | 10.2000 - 16.11.2000 | | | charges : | | | Crimes against humanity
Torture | | | profile last modified : | | | 25.01.2010 |
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