Junior Bonheur stands trial in Vivy Mitchell case

Politician Junior Bonheur is standing trial before the criminal court in a property-grabbing case in Vivy Mitchell. Investigating Judge Benjamin Félismé charged him with forgery, use of forged documents and criminal conspiracy. He firmly denies the charges.

A property deal at the heart of the case

At the center of the case is the alleged purchase of a property from Daphney Pereira in October 2017, in a transaction handled at the office of notary Romuald Étienne. But a death certificate filed in the case says Pereira died on Oct. 13, 2003, 14 years before the sale. Bonheur says he is the target of judicial harassment. In his defense, he cites letters from the National Identification Office (ONI) and the General Tax Directorate (DGI) saying there is no record of Pereira heirs in their databases, as well as a tax clearance issued in his name.

Junior Bonheur challenges the procedure

He also challenges the legality of the procedure, which he says is politically motivated. The case, which sheds light on alleged land-grabbing practices in Haiti, could see new legal developments in the coming months.