The kidnappers continue to raise the stakes for Pierre-Louis Opont, 40 days after he was abducted in front of his residence.
The family members have contributed the amount they could gather among themselves, but nevertheless, the criminals are demanding much more as the health condition of the former president of the Provisional Electoral Council deteriorates further.
In a second pre-recorded message published this Sunday, Pierre-Louis’s elder sister, Justine Opont, appeals to the kidnappers to show humanity by releasing the co-owner of TelePluriel.
“After 40 days since my brother Pierre-Louis Opont was kidnapped almost in front of his residence in Tabarre in the afternoon of June 20, 2023, the family continues to suffer greatly despite the ransom paid to the kidnappers,” laments Justine Opont, emphasizing that the former journalist of Radio Télé Nationale is not in good health. “We have no means left. We have already paid the sum we could collect. We can no longer meet the monetary demands of the kidnappers,” Justine Opont conveyed before adding, “Please, free my brother.”
In total, three members of the Opont family were kidnapped within a week. His wife, Marie Lucie Bonhomme, and his elder sister, Justine Opont, were abducted on June 13 by the gang led by Vitelhomme but were released on the same day. However, Pierre-Louis Opont wasn’t as fortunate.
Suffering from serious health problems, the former Director-General of the CEP had to wait 26 days before the criminals agreed to receive his daily medication, necessary before undergoing a surgical procedure that had to be postponed due to his abduction.
As with other victims, the authorities show no willingness to facilitate the release of Pierre-Louis Opont.
According to the National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH), the Director-General of the National Police of Haiti, Frantz Elbé, is allegedly colluding with several armed gangs, including the one led by the powerful gang leader, Vitelhomme Innocent.
