On Thursday afternoon, former Senator Lavalas Nènel Cassy was arrested by the police on the order of the Miragoâne Government Commissioner, Me Jean Ernst Muscadin.

The former parliamentarian was arrested after participating in a demonstration against the ruling power and the respect for the Constitution, when he went to the city police station to demand the release of 12 activists from the opposition apprehended aboard a bus who had just participated in the demonstration.

Reacting to this arrest Me. André Michel declared Thursday "[...] Nenel Cassy has just been arrested in Miragoâne at the office of the Departmental Director of Police, in accordance with the instructions of President Jovenel Moïse. The battle for respect for the Constitution must gain momentum. Unacceptable! Bloke peyi a."

Me Jean Ernst Muscadin denied the words of André Michel suggesting that the arrest of Nenel Cassy had been made on the instructions of President Jovenel Moïse, specifying that the former Senator was arrested on charges of illegal possession of weapons, vandalism and theft and was accompanied by "four police officers" carrying illegal weapons including assault rifles.

President of the Senate Joseph Lambert also reacted, "I have heard the unpleasant news of the arrest of Senator Nenel Cassy. The competent authorities should assess the advisability of such an act. Democracy is too fragile. We must preserve it."

For its part, the radical Political Direction of the so-called Democratic Opposition (DIRPOD) has launched an appeal for rebellion "[...] The dictatorship is on the march. The DIRPOD calls on the population to a legitimate rebellion against this arbitrary act and for the defense of democracy."

Thursday evening Nènel Cassy was released along with the 12 opposition activists.

Reacting to this release Jospeh Lambert declared "The President of the Senate acknowledges the judicial authorities who have reassessed the arrest of Senator Nenel Cassy. The position of the Senate was clearly stated in favor of individual liberty. Haiti has chosen democracy."

However, according to Me André Michel, Enold Florestal, an official of the sector of the radical opposition called "Democratic and Popular" was arrested in Lalue by police officers from the General Security Unit of the National Palace (USGPN).

SL/ HaitiLibre