Jovenel Moïse assassination: lawyer Phénil Gordon Désir arrested in Pétion-Ville

Lawyer Phénil Gordon Désir, wanted since July 2021 in the investigation into the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, was arrested on the afternoon of Wednesday, October 28, 2026, in Pétion-Ville, Le Nouvelliste and Rezo Nòdwès report.

According to Rezo Nòdwès, he was detained in a supermarket in Pétion-Ville by the Haitian National Police, after he was tailed by officers of the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ), under the warrant issued against him. The outlet describes him as a leader of the Ayiti 2054 party.

A government source quoted by Le Nouvelliste said he was wanted for "his alleged involvement in the preparation and logistical support of the plot" (translated from French). Phénil Gordon Désir has not been convicted by any court and is presumed innocent.

A US transfer mentioned, not confirmed

The same government source said he "is going to be sent to the United States. No official announcement from the police, the Haitian judiciary or US authorities has confirmed the transfer or its timing.

No statement from the National Police, the government, Phénil Gordon Désir’s lawyer or his family could be found as of Thursday, October 29.

A case still under investigation

Phénil Gordon Désir was among the 51 people indicted in the order of investigating judge Walther Wesser Voltaire, a 122-page document dated January 2024 and made public on February 19, 2024, according to Haïti Liberté.

The case has since been the subject of a supplementary investigation.

The arrest comes just over a month after 18 defendants in the case, including Joseph Félix Badio and 17 former Colombian soldiers, were transferred to the United States on Sunday, September 20, 2026, according to Publimetro, citing the Haitian outlet Juno7. They are to appear in federal court in the Southern District of Florida.

President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated during the night of July 7, 2021, at his residence in Pétion-Ville.