Armed gangs take control of largest prison in Haiti, free inmates
Haiti police unions plead for help as armed gangs frees inmates after storming the largest prison
Haiti police unions plead for help as armed gangs frees inmates after storming the largest prison.
Armed gangs took control of Haiti’s largest prison in Port-au-Prince on Saturday night, freeing an undetermined number of inmates after hours of intense gunfire between the police and the assailants.
“The bandits have stormed the National Penitentiary of Port-au-Prince and allowed a certain number of detainees to escape,” the French embassy in Haiti said.
The takeover of the prison by heavily armed gang members occurred after hours of a gun battle, the armed gangs said on social media.
The prison houses hundreds of inmates living in inhumane conditions, including Colombian citizens accused of participating in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise in July 2021, as well as gang leaders awaiting trial.
CS Nakhumicha absolves police of any blame over the attack on KMPDU Boss
President Ruto splashes Sh 50 million on a church project
Kipchoge loses Tokyo Marathon, finishes at position 10
Special forces intercept Al-Shabaab militants on attack mission in Kenya
Kenya ready to take leadership of AU through Raila; Musalia Mudavadi
It is speculated that after the country’s main prison, the National Palace could be the next target of the armed groups, who are determined to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
So far, there has been no official communication about what happened at the prison.
Various reports suggest that the goal of the violent groups is to gain strength before the arrival of the multinational security support mission led by Kenya.
On Friday, Kenya and Haiti signed a bilateral agreement in Nairobi to allow the deployment of 1,000 police officers as part of the multinational security support mission led by Kenyans and approved by the UN last October.
Haiti has been battling an escalation of violence since Bahamian Prime Minister Phillip Davis said on Thursday that his Haitian counterpart, Ariel Henry, had committed to holding elections before Aug. 31, 2025.
Also read,
Am ready to take over from Raila; Oparanya
Jobless Kenyans left stranded after company denies agreement deal with CS Kuria
Mombasa Governor takes a swipe on DP Gachahua over drug barons
Police boss hands suspects trying to bribe him to EACC
DP Gachagua faults government taxes targeting Mt Kenya farmers
Follow us
