PORT-AU-PRINCE - An international journalism organization urged President-elect René Préval to reopen a stalled investigation into the slaying of Haiti's most prominent journalist, saying Friday that efforts to solve the case have been a ``scandal.''
Jean Dominique, a radio journalist who was increasingly critical of ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's government, was gunned down with an employee in daylight in the radio station's courtyard on April 3, 2000.
The probe into the killing has been plagued with problems, including the deaths of two suspects and the resignation of two investigating judges who received death threats. Some documents in the case have vanished, thwarting investigators and angering press-freedom groups.
''We call on Préval to pledge to reopen the case,'' Reporters Without Borders said in a statement marking the sixth anniversary of Dominique's murder. ``The victory of justice over impunity is at stake.''
Préval, a former Aristide ally and a friend of Dominique, is to take power May 14. His representatives did not return telephone calls Friday.
Haiti's U.S.-backed interim government, which replaced Aristide after he fled amid a revolt two years ago, has pledged to investigate Dominique's killing but has struggled to rebuild a police force and judiciary sorely depleted of personnel and equipment.
Three suspects in the killing -- including one who reportedly said he was paid $10,000 to carry out the murder -- were charged and arrested but escaped from Haiti's national penitentiary during a February 2005 jailbreak, Reporters Without Borders said.
