TRNUC hears two witnesses in open sessions |08 July 2020
Mr Daniel Hoareau (left) and ASP Jean Toussaint
Assistant superintendent of police Jean Toussaint was the first witness to appear before the Truth, Reconciliation and National Unity Commission yesterday in connection to Case 090 brought by Livette Hermitte, regarding the murder of her son, Ricky Hermitte, a retired soldier who was killed on October 19, 2006 at Kan Tobruk, Sans Soucis.
In his capacity as the police spokesperson, assistant superintendent (ASP) Toussaint had been alleged by Mrs Hermitte, to have said to the media in an interview that Ricky, though a free man, was under police surveillance at the time he was killed. She had wanted to understand under what circumstances her son was killed when he was under police surveillance.
Responding to the allegation, ASP Toussaint, who acknowledged talking to the media the next day after the incident, denied that he ever said that he (Hermitte) was under police surveillance.
“What was said was that the police discovered and established that prior to the incident Ricky was seen in a car two or three days prior to the incident. That was what I said,” ASP Toussaint claimed, noting that he is not into operation or investigation but rather the communication officer in charge to relate information of public interest to the general public.
ASP Toussaint claimed that he only gave one interview to the media on the incident and no other. He noted that the police normally do not give all the details in any investigation, though it might be in the public interest, as it might determine or influence the case being investigated. He added that most of the time the police will give details like what happened, where it happened and who was involved, without naming any suspects.
He stated that the police treated the case as a murder case and that it was during the investigation that it was established that Ricky was seen in a car two or three days prior to him being killed. He also called on the commission to take it up with the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) for a copy of his interview for verification of what he said that day.
Case 093: Henri Barallon – Witness
Daniel Hoareau was requested to appear as a witness in Case 093: Henri Barallon, who complained to the commission that he was harassed and intimidated by members of the armed forces and the state security services. He had identified Mr Hoareau as one of the persons who followed him around from 1987 to 1988.
Responding to the allegations, Mr Hoareau noted that he did not listen to the session when Mr Barallon lodged his complaint, but he was in fact shocked when he was notified to appear before the commission to answer to his (Mr Barallon’s) allegations.
“I, John, Philippe, Daniel Hoareau, have never followed anyone in this country. I repeat, I have never followed anyone in this country and I have never been given any instruction, order or command to follow anyone in this country,” said the ex-bodyguard of former President France Albert Rene.
Mr Hoareau added that he worked only as presidential escort from 1980 to 1988 and that he was not part of the intelligence unit. He claimed that he only once had a confrontation with Mr Barallon at a political rally in 1995 but at that time he was no longer a member of the armed forces since he had left the force in 1989.
He presumed that Mr Barallon came to the commission to complain against him because he (Barallon) had a grudge against him following the incident that happened at the political rally. He claimed they both know each other just like that and no further.
Two other hearings were held in closed sessions.
Patrick Joubert