The wife and children of former Haitian Senator John Joel Joseph, who were arrested along with the politician in St Elizabeth earlier this year, have been denied refugee status in Jamaica.

The family’s attorney, Donahue Martin made the revelation in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Thursday.

Martin told the court that the application for refugee status for John’s wife Edume and their two sons was denied by the Ministry of Justice. He said he will be appealing the decision, which he has seven days to do.

“If these persons cannot be deemed as refugees, I don’t see who can,” Martin said, noting that one of the criteria for a person to be granted refugee status in Jamaica include the fear that a person’s life is in serious danger.

“I hope the Ministry will make what I deem as the right decision,” Martin said.

They are to return to court on May 16.

Joseph, who is a suspect in the July 7, 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, along with his wife and their two children were arrested in Warminster district, St Elizabeth, on January 20. The four had reportedly been living under the radar with the help of residents of the area. The family was brought before the court on illegal entry charges on February 15.

On Thursday, prosecutors entered a nolle prosequi for the illegal entry charge against Joseph, paving the way for him to be extradited to the United States.

In response to the move by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, Senior Parish Judge at the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court, Lori-Ann Cole-Montague said, “Mr John, the learned Director of Public Prosecutions has entered a nolle prosequi against you… this means that it clears ways for arrangements to be made for you to be extradited to the United States. So, this is your last day at Halfway Tree.”

Joseph’s family are to still answer to the illegal entry charge brought against them.

In February, Martin made an application for refugee status to the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) for Edume and their two sons, arguing that the family fled Haiti and entered Jamaica illegally over fear of being killed by angry citizens in Haiti who believe they were involved in Moïse’s murder.