The National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH) has spoken out to denounce the ruling issued on November 19, 2025, by the Port-au-Prince Court of Appeal in favor of former Director General of the General Customs Administration (AGD), Romel Bell. In a particularly harsh report, the human rights organization described the decision as a “judicial parody” and urged the Superior Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ) to launch an investigation in order to shed full light on the real motivations of the judges who ruled in this emblematic alleged corruption case.

The case pits the public prosecutor’s office against Romel Bell, his wife Anna Dorvil Bell, and Reverend Duckens Augustin, also known as Duken Augustin. All three had been referred on May 8, 2024, to the criminal court without jury assistance by investigating judge Jean Wilner Morin. At the time, Judge Morin stated that he had “consistent charges and sufficient evidence” to prosecute them for money laundering, financing terrorism, complicity, false declaration of assets, illicit enrichment, and criminal association. Judge Morin had also ordered their arrest if they were not already in custody.