PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (CMC) — A Haitian judge has been suspended for three months over his decision to release a school principal accused of raping a 14-year-old child who became pregnant as a result.
The country’s Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ) suspended Judge Merlan Bélabre following complaints related to the case.
In a letter sent to the judge, the President of the CSPJ, Jean Joseph Lebrun, said the decision to suspend Bélabre followed an investigation into his ruling.
“It was decided, at the statutory meeting of Thursday, January 16, 2025, to place you on leave for a period of three months pending your appearance before the Disciplinary Court which will rule definitively on your situation,” the letter read.
The January 17 letter was also copied to the Dean of the Court of First Instance of Port-au-Prince and the Personnel Service of the Higher Council of the Judiciary.
