Haitian judge recommends release for missionaries

The judge deciding whether 10 U.S. missionaries should face child kidnapping charges for trying to remove children from the earthquake-battered country, has apparently decided they should be released: "After listening to the families, I see the possibility that they can all be released," Saint-Vil told The Associated Press. "I am recommending that all 10 Americans ...

By , a former associate editor at Foreign Policy.

The judge deciding whether 10 U.S. missionaries should face child kidnapping charges for trying to remove children from the earthquake-battered country, has apparently decided they should be released:

The judge deciding whether 10 U.S. missionaries should face child kidnapping charges for trying to remove children from the earthquake-battered country, has apparently decided they should be released:

"After listening to the families, I see the possibility that they can all be released," Saint-Vil told The Associated Press. "I am recommending that all 10 Americans be released."

He would not elaborate, and it was not clear whether his decision means the charges may be dropped.

Haiti’s chief prosecutor can still appeal the ruling and there is still speculation that the 10 could be transferred to the U.S. to face charges there. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley seemed to leave this possibility on the table in a briefing on Tuesday:

"This is a Haitian legal process. The matters right now involve whether these individuals have broken Haitian law. We have talked to Haitian officials in general terms about their ability to conduct this procedure. If they want to explore alternative avenues with us, we will be happy to have that conversation," he said.

 

Joshua Keating was an associate editor at Foreign Policy. Twitter: @joshuakeating

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