Assassination suspects behind killing of president Jovenel Moise arrested inside island’s Taiwanese embassy

Eleven men suspected of being involved in the assassination were arrested on Thursday after the Taiwanese embassy gave permission to the police to enter the premises, according to a statement published on the embassy’s website on Friday.

“Taiwan, as a responsible member of the international community, and a long-time loyal friend and credible partner of the Republic of Haiti, immediately agreed to and authorised the Haitian police to conduct a search to seek justice and ascertain the truth behind the incident as soon as possible,” the statement read.

The Haitian police said on Thursday the hit squad was made up of 26 Colombian nationals and two Americans of Haitian origin. The Taiwanese embassy did not state the nationalities of the suspects apprehended on its grounds, located near Moise’s residence, where he was shot.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou said the island’s embassy had been closed for security reasons since martial law was imposed following the assassination, and all staff were working from home until further notice.

“In the early morning of July 8, security personnel at the embassy discovered a group of fully armed, suspicious-looking individuals breaking through the security perimeter and entering the courtyard. The security company immediately made emergency calls to notify embassy staff as well as the Haiti police,” she said.

In response to a request from the Haiti government, the Taiwanese embassy had immediately agreed to let police enter its premises to conduct a search and make arrests, to ensure that justice prevailed and the facts concerning the incident were brought to light, she stressed.