Haitian priest released from jail for treatment at Miami hospital

Published: 2006-01-31

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Father Gerard Jean-Juste, who was jailed without charges in Haiti since July, has been temporarily released from prison and admitted to a Miami hospital for medical treatment. The priest was admitted to Jackson Memorial Hospital Jan. 29 as a security patient, which means he is not allowed to see visitors or receive phone calls directly. Lorraine Nelson of the hospital's media relations office said Jan. 31 that doctors needed to evaluate his condition for a couple more days before releasing any information about his treatment. Information has not been released about how long the priest will be in the hospital and where he will go after treatment. Michel Brunache, chief of staff for interim Haitian President Boniface Alexandre, told the British news agency Reuters Jan. 29 that the authorities tried to find medical treatment in Haiti but were unsuccessful. They provisionally released the priest to Miami for medical treatment, Brunache said, adding that this does not mean Father Jean-Juste's case is closed.

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