US citizens targeted after extradition of Haiti ex-coup leader

PORT- AU- PRINCE: Haitian police have evacuated some 50 US citizens to safety after attempted attacks by supporters of Haitian Senator- elect Guy Philippe, who was arrested and extradited to the United States last week, a police official said on Monday.

Phi l ippe, long wanted by the US Drug Enforcement Administration and remembered for his role in a 2004 coup against former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, was elected senator for the southwestern Grand’Anse region in polls on Nov. 20.

But on Thursday, days before he was supposed to be sworn in, police arrested him outside of a radio station and flew him to the United States, where a Miami court charged him with money laundering and drug trafficking. Philippe denies the charges.

The extradition has stirred tensions in Grand’Anse, an area that is rebuilding after damages inflicted by Hurricane Matthew last October and where Philippe enjoys popularity.

Supporters of Philippe have clashed with political opponents in the streets, burned two police vehicles and attacked several police stations, forcing officers to flee, said Berson Soljour, a police commissioner in Grand’Anse.

Philippe supporters are also believed to have attacked two US citizens who ran an orphanage and stole their passports and other belongings from their home, police officials said.

Police have evacuated more than 50 US citizens to safer places in Haiti since Friday, Soljour said, who advised those who chose to stay not to leave their residences.

Higher than usual numbers of US ci t i zens a re i n t he region helping with hurricane recovery.

US citizens were evacuated to a police station before moving to a United Nations base, where they waited for preparations to f ly them to Port- au- Prince, Soljour said. Some have been f lown to the capital, while others are still waiting.

“There are groups linked to Guy Philippe that were actively seeking to attack or capture US citizens following ( his) arrest and extradition,” Soljour said. — Reuters