Martelly Under Fire: Haitian Anti-Corruption Network Demands Immediate Prosecution Over Explosive ULCC Report

Port-au-Prince, December 9, 2025 — A storm of controversy has erupted around former Haitian President Michel Joseph Martelly after the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) released a damning report on December 8, 2025, alleging systematic falsification of asset declarations and illicit enrichment. The Haitian Network of Anti-Corruption Journalists (RHAJAC) has responded with a blistering press release, demanding immediate legal action and the urgent referral of Martelly—and several close associates—to the Port-au-Prince prosecutor’s office.

The Accusations: A Web of Concealed Wealth

According to RHAJAC, the ULCC’s findings paint a picture of deliberate deception at the highest level. The report claims Martelly concealed significant movements of both movable and immovable assets—an offense that, under Haitian law, opens the door to criminal charges of illicit enrichment.

But the net of suspicion extends far beyond the former president. Named alongside Martelly are:

• Sophia Saint-Rémy Martelly, his wife
• Olivier Martelly, his son
• Yves Joseph, alias “Tijo”
• Lionel Valbrun
• Richemond Dérénoncourt

All are accused of acts that “seriously compromised public finances and the integrity of the State,” according to RHAJAC.

RHAJAC’s Ultimatum: No More Impunity

In its December 8 press release, RHAJAC issued a four-point ultimatum to Haitian authorities:

1. Immediate referral of the case to Government Commissioner Fritz Patterson Dorval at the Court of First Instance in Port-au-Prince
2. Full criminal investigation into Martelly and all implicated parties
3. Urgent summons of every individual named in the report
4. Immediate seizure of all documents, bank records, transactions, and assets linked to the alleged offenses

“Any hesitation on the part of the prosecution would encourage the disappearance of evidence and reinforce impunity at the highest level of the State,” the network warned.

A Nation Holds Its Breath

The case arrives at a moment of acute institutional fragility. Haiti’s justice system—long crippled by political interference, resource shortages, and endemic corruption—now faces a crucible. RHAJAC’s statement is unequivocal: “Haiti demands justice: the era in which former leaders systematically escaped prosecution must end.”

For many Haitians, the Martelly era (2011–2016) remains synonymous with opaque deals, stalled reforms, and a widening gap between the political elite and a population mired in poverty. If the ULCC report’s allegations hold, it could mark a historic rupture with decades of impunity—or yet another lost opportunity.

What Happens Next?

As of Monday evening, the Office of the Government Commissioner had not publicly responded to RHAJAC’s demands. Legal observers note that under Haitian law, the ULCC can recommend prosecution, but only the prosecutor’s office can formally file charges. The clock, RHAJAC insists, is ticking.

“This symbolic and explosive case highlights the extent of the corruption that is eating away at the state apparatus,” the network concluded. “The country holds its breath: will the justice system let this opportunity to act slip away again?”