Journalist Guerrier Henri Declines DCPJ Invitation, Challenges Investigation's Credibility

Journalist and host of the show BOUKANTE LAPAWÒL, Guerrier Henri, did not appear before the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ) on Monday, July 28, 2025, as initially scheduled. Instead of appearing, he sent a formal request to the DCPJ, challenging the invitation due to procedural flaws. The main arguments of the request “Violation of the principle of presumption of innocence, violation of the principle of legality, anxiety-inducing wording of the invitation,” are some of the irregularities raised by the journalist's defenders. In the request, a copy of which Le Relief obtained, Guerrier Henri's lawyer, Me Emmanuel Jeanty, specifically denounces the non-observance of the principle of presumption of innocence. He reminds the DCPJ that his client benefits from this fundamental guarantee, enshrined in Article 11.1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. “The invitation issued, by its very wording, suggests a premature assessment of the facts, as well as an implicit association of Mr. Guerrier Henri with criminal acts,” reads the document addressed to the DCPJ. Referring to Article 17 of the amended Haitian Constitution, Me Jeanty also highlights a violation of the principle of equality before the law and procedural guarantees. “The invitation addressed to Mr. Guerrier Henri should have been strictly in line with the principle of legality, a fundamental pillar of the rule of law, affirmed by both the American Convention on Human Rights and Article 11.2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” writes the lawyer. He also deplores the hasty nature of the summons, which he considers non-compliant with the principle of reasonable time. The less than 72-hour deadline given to appear constitutes, according to him, a clear impediment to the citizen's right to prepare their defense under fair conditions. A wording deemed equivocal and anxiety-inducing One of the most concerning points, according to the defense, concerns the wording of the invitation, which explicitly states: “... this, as part of an ongoing investigation into your relations with a gang leader of the VIV ANSANM coalition...” This mention, according to the request, casts doubt on the impartiality of the investigation and fuels a climate of suspicion detrimental to the journalist's reputation. Furthermore, DCPJ officials reportedly refused to receive the request, forcing the mandated bailiff to call upon a justice of the peace to record the facts. Accusations of instrumentalization Guerrier Henri described the steps taken by the DCPJ against him as “percussions.” “These are percussions,” he told the media Le Relief. According to him, these initiatives are motivated by his critical stances regarding the Director General of the Haitian National Police (PNH) and certain recent arrests carried out by the DCPJ. It should be recalled that the journalist was summoned as part of an ongoing investigation concerning his alleged relations with criminal associations. By Gédéon Delva