Terrorism charges were filed Thursday against a 50-year-old from Lévis who allegedly plotted to overthrow the Haitian government of Jovenel Moïse.
According to an investigation started in July 2021 by the Integrated National Security Team of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Gérald Nicolas aimed to seize power in Haiti by leading an armed revolution.
The Service de police de la Ville de Lévis (SPVL) also provided valuable information about the coup that the 51-year-old man was planning.
“It is alleged that the latter would have taken concrete actions, in particular by traveling to Haiti, in order to facilitate the organization of a group whose intention was to participate in a coup against the established authority”, indicates the RCMP in a news release.
Former Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated on July 7, 2021, almost at the same time as the investigation began. However, authorities say there is no connection between the murder and the investigation.
Gérald Nicolas will appear at the Quebec courthouse on December 1. He is expected to face charges of facilitating terrorist activity, providing property for terrorist purposes and leaving Canada to facilitate terrorist activity.
“The RCMP investigates all criminal activity involving Canadians abroad. They expose themselves to charges under the Criminal Code of Canada,” said the organization.
The RCMP encourages citizens to remain vigilant and report any information about terrorism or related suspicious activity to the National Security Line (1-800-420-5805) or their community police department.