PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti (CMC) – The press freedom organisation, SOS Journalistes, says it is deeply concerned by the persistent death threats being issued against Justice Robert Jourdain, who is investigating the murder of journalist and political analyst, Garry Tess.

Tess, who hosted a political programme on Radio Lebon FM, in Les Cayes, had been reported missing on October 18, 2022 and his lifeless body was discovered almost a week later on October 24, in the locality of Foko, just outside the city.

“SOS Journalistes calls on the Government of Prime Minister Ariel Henry and the Superior Council of the Judiciary to take all the administrative and security measures necessary for the protection of Judge Jourdain and the success of his investigation, which is so important for the corporation of journalists and society as a whole,” said SOS Secretary General Joseph Guyler C Delva.

He told a news conference that SOS Journalistes is also calling on the judge not to withdraw from the case, as some would like, and to continue his investigation until it is concluded, “obviously within a reasonable time.

“SOS Journalistes calls on the competent executive and judicial authorities to act quickly to prevent them from being perceived as acting in collusion with the journalist’s killers; therefore predators of press freedom and freedom of expression which, of course, deserve to be denounced everywhere in the world.”

Delva said that the SOS Journalistes is seeking support from international media organisations including the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, the International Press Institute, based in Vienna and the Florida-based Inter American Press Association to support its call for protection of the judge.

“SOS Journalistes continues to demand justice for Garry Tess, the cowardly murdered colleague whose case seems to be at an impasse today. The case of Gary Tess must be resolved as soon as possible, in order to prevent this chronic impunity from trigger more crimes against journalists and other media workers. “

Delva said he had spoken to the government commissioner of Les Cayes, Ronald Richemond, who is currently abroad, and who has rejected allegations of his involvement in the death of Tess.

The SOS Journalistes said journalist Guerlan Hyppolite has been imprisoned in Les Cayes prison for more than eight months, although there is no indication that he had anything to do with the events that led to the assassination of journalist Tess.

“SOS Journalistes calls on Judge Robert Jourdain to allow the journalist to regain his freedom,” said Delva, adding “he will be released not because SOS Journalistes demands it, but because the law on the matter, provides for it”.

Meanwhile, the SOS Journalistes said it welcomes the release of media owner, Pierre-Louis Opont, who was kidnapped on June 20. He was released last Saturday.

“This criminal and evil practice must stop in the country. Kidnapping is becoming almost normal in the country. And it is unacceptable!” said Delva.