lawyer for Quebec Man Jovenel Moïse, who has been charged with planning an act of terrorism to overthrow the Haitian government, said on Friday his client intends to fight the charges.
Gerald Nicholas, 51, Quebec The city court on December 1 will face three terrorism-related charges.
Nicholas was charged with leaving Canada to facilitate terrorist activities, promoting terrorist activities and providing property for terrorist purposes, the RCMP said Thursday. His first two counts carry a maximum of 14 years in prison, and his third count carries a maximum of 10 years in prison.
The Cavalry alleges that Nicolas, a resident of Levi, Quebec, planned an armed revolution in Haiti to overthrow the government and eventually seize power. , added that it had nothing to do with the assassination of Moise in a private home near Port-au-Prince in July 2021.
Affidavits filed by the RCMP to obtain search warrants seeking access to cell phones and computers describe several aspects of the alleged conspiracy involved in the exchange. There are stories of them traveling to Cuba, Colombia, Panama, and the Dominican Republic to secure land on the Dominican-Haiti border, procure supplies to set up camps, and secure personnel and weapons.
Defense attorney Tiago Mulias said he was waiting for the royal family to disclose evidence, but Mr Nicholas intends to challenge the charges. said in a short interview.
On Thursday, the RCMP said its joint national security enforcement team launched a terrorist investigation in July 2021 after exchanging information with police in Levi, just south of it. Quebec city.
Levi police executed a search warrant in May 2021 as they investigated allegations that Nicholas harassed his ex-partner and shared intimate photos of her, according to court documents. Nicholas was in Haiti when the warrant was executed, and his device and that of his new partner were seized.
Local police uncovered WhatsApp conversations between Nicholas and his new partner from April to May 2021. This appeared to indicate plans for an armed revolution in Haiti. According to an RCMP affidavit, when Nicolas returned to Haiti, he had open discussions with local police about the “need for a revolution” in Haiti. Quebec End of May 2021.
According to the statement, conversations between Nicholas and his partner included mentioning that Nicholas had purchased land in the Dominican Republic near the Haitian border to facilitate travel. He asked his new partner to speak to his Dominican cousin, a police officer, about obtaining five large-caliber weapons. It is said that he wanted to
Federal officials later spoke to Nicholas’ former partner, who traveled to Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Panama, and Colombia to procure weapons and recruit men.
“Nicolas said he wanted peaceful action, but his steps to acquire weapons and personnel nevertheless implied threats of violence and/or preparations for armed conflict with forces in the political establishment. and is likely to pose a danger to life and the safety of those involved in the Haitian population,” RCMP investigator Gabrielle Lemaire wrote in an affidavit.
Nicolas gave several media interviews on Thursday, saying he had been cheated on by his ex-girlfriend. .
“I am not the right person to tell you this…. Mr. Nicholas has given several interviews in his right, but for my part I have nothing more to add on the subject of revenge.” ” said Murias, adding that he advised the client not to conduct further interviews.
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