On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, the Court of Appeal of Port-au-Prince confirmed the dismissal of the former Director General of the National Solid Waste Management Service (SNGRS), Magalie Habitant, former MP Victor Prophane and former Director General of the Caisse d'aide sociale (CAS), Élionor Dévallon, from the criminal court sitting without jury assistance. The three former perpetrators are being prosecuted for alleged links with armed groups, including the criminal coalition « Viv Ansanm », as well as for other offences investigated. This decision of the Court paves the way for their trial, without prejudging their guilt.
Arrested in January 2025, the three defendants remained in detention throughout the investigation process. After examining the case, the Court of Appeal found that the evidence gathered was sufficient to justify their appearance before the criminal court. In accordance with the fundamental principles of law, however, they continue to benefit from the presumption of innocence until a final judgement is delivered.
At the end of the hearing, Magalie Habitant denounced what she considers an instrumentalization of justice. « The day when politics will be removed from the justice of this country, everyone will get justice in Haiti », she said. The former Director General of the SNGRS also stated that there was no evidence in this case and expressed a determination to defend her before the criminal court, believing that the truth would eventually be established during the trial.
