Suspect in assassination agrees to be extradited to U.S.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A former Haitian senator who is one of the main suspects in the slaying of former President Jovenel Moise agreed last week to be extradited to the U.S. to face charges, his attorney told the Associated Press.

It wasn’t immediately clear when John Joel Joseph, who was arrested in Jamaica in January, would be extradited from the Caribbean island, defense attorney Donahue

Martin said. He added that Joseph’s wife and two sons have requested asylum in Jamaica and are still awaiting a response.

Martin declined to elaborate on the extradition agreement. Haitian government officials did not comment.

Two other suspects in the case — Haitian-Chilean businessman Rodolphe Jaar and Colombian soldier Mario Antonio Palacios — were recently extradited to the U.S. to face charges. Jaar was arrested in the Dominican Republic in

January, and Palacios was arrested in Jamaica in October.

Both are charged with conspiring to commit murder or kidnapping outside the United States and providing material support resulting in death, knowing or intending that such material support would be used to prepare for or carry out the conspiracy to kill or kidnap.

More than 40 suspects have been arrested in the presidential slaying, including 18 former Colombian soldiers. Colombian government officials have said the majority of the ex-soldiers were duped and did not know about the real mission.

It wasn’t immediately clear what charges Joseph might face. He is a Haitian politician and opponent of the Tet Kale party that Moise belonged to.

A report from Haiti’s National Police that hasn’t been made public but was obtained by the AP quoted several sources saying Joseph had several links to the July 7 attack, with at least one person identifying him as one of the leaders.

The deal comes as the majority of suspects in the case have languished for months in Haiti’s main penitentiary in the capital of Port-au-Prince. The Colombian soldiers have accused Haitian authorities of torture, while the Colombian government has said the country’s consul in Haiti was threatened after trying to provide humanitarian assistance.