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Haiti Policeman Released from Jail After Violent Demonstrations

Sandra Lemaire

   WASHINGTON/PORT-AU-PRINCE - Haitian National policeman Pascal Alexandre
   is a free man -- for now -- after being conditionally released Friday
   from the National Penitentiary, where he had been held for nearly five
   months, after violent protests by a rogue police group calling for his
   freedom.

   Alexandre, who is a member of the national police's anti-drug force,
   was arrested May 8 and accused of assault with a deadly weapon and
   destruction of public property. He was arrested after an altercation
   between the rogue police group Fantom 509 and a member of the elite
   Special Weapons and Tactics force (SWAT), during which the SWAT officer
   was allegedly disarmed and forced into a vehicle.

   Alexandre, wearing a dark gray T-shirt and face mask as he left the
   Port-au-Prince court where he was arraigned, was accompanied by his
   lawyer, Andre Michel.

   Michel told reporters the judge agreed to release his client on the
   condition that he make himself available to respond to any questions
   that may arise and to appear in court, if necessary, in the coming
   weeks.

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