22198: Esser: PNH Operation in the neighborhood La Saline (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: D. Esser torx@joimail.com

Agence Haïtienne de Presse

May 27, 2004


PNH Operation in the neighborhood La Saline: riverside residents
denounce brutal acts


Port-au-Prince, May 27, 2004 (AHP)- Agents of the National Police
together with soldiers of the multinational force lead an operation
this Thursday in the populist neighborhood La Saline in
Port-au-Prince.

The policemen were obviously looking for presumed bandits and escaped
prisoners who would be hiding in the area. Several prisoners
condemned for different reasons had been released from prison
throughout the country in February 2004 in a movement launched by the
opposition at the time to overthrow President Aristide.

According to witnesses, the policemen who lead this Thursday's
operation seized two vehicles but made no arrests. However, riverside
residents denounced the brutality of the operation. They claim that
many of them were roughly handled by policemen, even though they
declare they have no faults.

If there are escaped prisoners on the run, they must ask explanations
to those who released them, but not to us, one of them declared.
Several residents of the area compared the operations lead by the
police to political persecution. They declared that intimidation acts
and violence are not enough to make them deny their political
convictions and their affection to President Aristide.

Singer of the band "Klòch lakou Lakay" Charles Augustin called Papito
also denounced Thursday the political persecutions he claims to be
victim of. He rises up against the PNH general management whom he
accuses of publishing his name on a list of presumed bandits. He
declared he was ready to go to the police if he is victim of
prosecutions.
.