By Ralph ‘Onz’ Chery
A group allegedly made up of police officers intensified its attacks on Port-au-Prince in a bid to force the release of a police officer, Jean-Pascal Alexandre, from government custody.
Alexandre was arrested for murder, arson, and for the destruction of public properties on May 8, according to Haiti Libre.
Fantom 509 had previously taken to the streets on Saturday and Monday, firing shots, burning tires and vehicles, and setting on fire the National Office of Identification (ONI). On Wednesday, the group increased its gunfire, set more vehicles on fire and, with the help of residents burned ONI again.
A Fantom 509 member told VOA Kreyol that Alexandre was wrongfully arrested and they won’t stop terrorizing Port-au-Prince until he’s set free.
“If they don’t liberate Pascal, the whole country will get burned – because of Jovenel,” said the member, referring to Haiti President Jovenel Moïse.