Haitian killer arrested—but not for his real crimes

By G. Dunkel

Published Jul 16, 2006 8:15 AM

The U.S. State Department granted Emmanuel “Toto” Constant asylum in 2000, even after he was convicted by a Haitian court of committing mass murder in 1994 in the Raboteau neighborhood of Gonaïves, Haiti’s second-largest city. He also has been charged with organizing gang rapes of Aristide supporters during the first coup against President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

The State Department had decided that the justice system in Haiti was not fit to judge a CIA agent who was a mass murderer. Constant then settled down in New York City, where he was the frequent target of demonstrations.

While still in Haiti, Constant had headed the Front for Advancement and Progress of Haiti (FRAPH), which the Haitian military set up in 1991 and used as a front for violent attacks on Aristide supporters. “Frap” is the Creole word for punch.

But when Constant allegedly tried to extend his impunity to cover stealing from a U.S. bank, he found that it had definite limits.

He was arrested, arraigned July 7, and ordered to post $50,000 bail. His real estate broker’s license will also be subject to suspension, since his crime is alleged to be connected to real-estate transactions.

Moira Feeney, an attorney with the San Francisco-based Center for Justice and Accountability, brought a federal suit in 2005 on behalf of three woman who say they were his victims and now live in the United States. They claim that members of FRAPH engaged in a “systematic campaign of violence against women,” beating and raping them. The details of Constant’s suspicious transaction were revealed in this lawsuit.

As someone who has worked undercover for the U.S., Constant was so sure of his impunity that he didn’t even hire a lawyer to defend himself in the suit.

Feeney told the Associated Press, “We’re thrilled that he’s in custody, and we’re also concerned he’s a flight risk.”

Radio Metropole, the radio station in Haiti where most people get their news, featured the story of Constant’s arrest and release.

Email: gdunkel@workers.org