Nearly two years after the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, his widow, Martine Moïse, has filed a lawsuit in Florida against those accused of his murder. The lawsuit, seeking unspecified damages, aims to hold the defendants accountable and provide a measure of justice for the Moïse family.

The assassination, which took place on July 7, 2021, saw President Moïse shot multiple times at his private residence. Martine Moïse was also seriously injured in the attack. Over 40 individuals have been apprehended in connection with the assassination, including a former Haitian senator, a former government official linked to an anti-corruption agency, and 18 ex-Colombian soldiers.

Paul Turner, attorney for Martine Moïse, expressed determination to pursue all avenues to ensure those responsible are held financially accountable. He believes that powerful figures and substantial financial resources are likely involved in the orchestration of the assassination. Turner also expressed frustration with the slow progress of the case in Haiti, where four judges assigned to the investigation have been removed or have resigned, some citing fears for their safety.

Eleven suspects are currently in U.S. federal custody. Turner noted a lack of transparency from the Haitian government, which has not shared any information with the Moïse family, including an inventory of personal assets seized after the president's death.

The lawsuit, filed in a Miami circuit court, accuses the defendants of various charges, including causing the president's death, inflicting serious injury on Martine Moïse, battery, assault, civil conspiracy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The suit alleges that the conspirators' ultimate goal was to install their own illegitimate government that would pardon the assassins. It highlights the audacity of their plan and the partial success they achieved by taking President Moïse's life.

Rodolphe Jaar, a Haitian-Chilean businessman, recently received a life sentence for his role in providing weapons to the Colombian mercenaries involved. He is the first person to be convicted and sentenced in the case. Turner emphasized the Moïse family's need for closure and their desire to see everyone involved brought to justice.