The murder of Nehemie Joseph, a leading journalist who covered Haiti’s political and economic crisis, provoked wide-scale protests on Friday, which has led to the deaths of 17 people and injured 189.

Reuters reports police responding to the protests using teargas, rubber bullets and live ammunition to disperse protesters that had gathered in one of Port-au-Prince’s main squares. Some protesters were seen resisting the security officials by throwing bottles and debris.

Protesters called for the current President Jovenel Moise to step down and criticised the fuel shortages, rapid inflation which has hit the country as well as a series of public corruption scandals which has come to light in the past four weeks.

Protesters attempted to march on the Presidents home but were ultimately unsuccessful. Moise has been implicated in several allegations of corruption and embezzlement of public funds.

The protesters were initiated in response to the death of Nehemie Joseph who was found dead on Thursday with several gunshot wounds to the head. Last month, he had warned of threats from politicians close to the government over his reporting however neither the government nor the police have commented further on the matter.

Joseph is the third to have been killed or “disappeared” since Moise became President in February 2017. Reporters Without Borders has condemned the attacks describing them as “very worrying” and calling on authorities to do all they can to protect journalists. 

Moise has responded asserting that he is not responsible for any wrongdoing but has announced a commission to uplift Haiti’s economy. 

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