12147: Haiti opposition activists freed (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Greg Chamberlain <GregChamberlain@compuserve.com>

     PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, May 23 (Reuters) - A former legislator and
seven other opposition party activists who were accused of plotting against
Haiti's government were released from custody on Thursday after a judge
decided not to file charges against them.
     Jean Mandenave, a former member of the Chamber of Deputies, Haiti's
lower house of parliament, and the others are activists for the Democratic
Unity Convention, known by its Creole acronym KID.
     The party is a member of the Democratic Convergence opposition
coalition, which has been locked in a dispute with the government of
Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide over disputed legislative
elections in May 2000.
     Judge Bernard Sainvil ordered the activists released after deciding
not to file charges against them. The eight were arrested on Feb. 9 on
allegations of plotting against the state.
     "The judge returned no charges against them, so they were released, as
they should have been all along," KID leader Evans Paul said.
     The political deadlock, which has resulted in the suspension of $500
million in international aid to Haiti, stemmed from opposition charges that
parliamentary election results two years ago were tabulated to favor
Aristide's political party, Lavalas Family.
     Relations between the two sides deteriorated further in the wake of an
apparent coup attempt on Dec. 17, when pro-government activists took to the
streets and burned down the headquarters of several opposition parties,
including that of KID.