Haitian rapper Fantom, born Daniel Darinus, was arrested by Dominican Republic immigration authorities on December 7, 2025. The arrest was carried out by the General Directorate of Migration (DGM), which has not yet released an official statement explaining the reasons behind the detention. Early reports suggest that the incident may be tied to issues regarding Fantom’s immigration status, not a criminal offense.
This is not Fantom’s first encounter with Dominican immigration authorities. In 2020, he was deported back to Haiti after being found in the Dominican Republic with an expired visa. That incident raised similar questions at the time about the treatment of Haitian nationals and the legal risks faced by Haitians living or working across the border.
Footage of the 2025 arrest was obtained and released by Haitian media outlet OpaMusic.com. The video, which has circulated widely across social platforms, shows Fantom being taken into custody by Dominican officers. The footage has prompted widespread concern and sparked conversations about the treatment of Haitian nationals in the Dominican Republic, particularly high-profile public figures.
In response to the arrest, Fantom’s management team issued a public plea calling on the Haitian public, the diaspora, and fellow artists to bring awareness to the situation and support efforts to secure his release. In a statement, the team emphasized that Fantom has not been charged with any crime and that he was detained without prior notice or communication to his legal counsel.
“We are asking the Haitian public, artists, and those in the diaspora to stand in solidarity with Fantom. He has dedicated his life to Haitian culture through music and deserves fair treatment and public support,” the statement read.
Fantom is one of the most recognized voices in Haitian hip-hop. As a founding member of Barikad Crew and later a solo artist, he has played a major role in shaping the rap kreyòl movement over the past two decades. His music often addresses issues of poverty, inequality, and street life in Haiti, earning him a loyal following both in the country and abroad.
Supporters have been using hashtags like #FreeFantom and #JusticePouFantom to raise awareness and demand transparency regarding the circumstances of his detention. As of now, there has been no public statement from the Dominican government confirming next steps in the case.
More updates will be shared as the story develops.
Rape Ayisyen Fantom Arete nan Repiblik Dominikèn; Ekip li fè apèl pou sipò piblik
Rape ayisyen Fantom, ki gen non nesans Daniel Darinus, te arete pa otorite imigrasyon Repiblik Dominikèn yo nan dat 7 desanm 2025. Arestasyon an te fèt pa Direksyon Jeneral Migrasyon (DGM), men otorite dominiken yo poko pibliye okenn deklarasyon ofisyèl pou eksplike rezon arestasyon an. Premye enfòmasyon yo fè kwè sa gen rapò ak estati imigrasyon li, epi pa yon ka kriminèl.
Sitiyasyon legal Fantom lan poko klè. Yo pa mete l sou akizasyon ofisyèl, e pa gen okenn enfòmasyon piblik ki konfime si l ap sibi pwosedi jidisyè oswa si y ap depòte l byento.
Sa pa premye fwa Fantom tonbe anba men otorite imigrasyon dominiken. An 2020, li te retounen Ayiti apre otorite yo te kenbe li ak viza ekspire pandan li te sou teritwa dominiken. Ka sa a te deja soulve kesyon sou jan ayisyen ap trete atravè fwontyè a.
Mwayen medya ayisyen OpaMusic.com mete men sou videyo arestasyon an e yo pibliye l sou entènèt. Videyo a, ki gaye rapid sou rezo sosyal yo, montre Fantom pandan lap arete pa ajan dominiken yo. Sa lakoz anpil enkyetid epi l relanse deba sou fason otorite dominiken ap jere dosye ayisyen, sitou lè li konsènen figi piblik ki gen enpak nan kilti a.
Ekip Fantom lan fè yon apel piblik kote yo mande pèp ayisyen an, dyaspora a, ak tout atis yo pou mete presyon epi bay vizibilite sou sa k ap pase a. Nan deklarasyon yo, yo mete aksan sou sa: Fantom pa akize de okenn krim, e yo arete l san okenn avètisman ni kominikasyon ak avoka li.
“Nou mande pèp ayisyen an, atis, ak tout dyaspora a pou mete tèt ansanm ak Fantom. Li dedye lavi li pou kilti ayisyen atravè mizik — li merite jistis, respè, e sipò piblik,” dapre sa ekip li a fè konnen.
Fantom se youn nan pi gwo figi nan mouvman rap kreyòl lan. Kòm manm fondatè Barikad Crew, epi kòm atis solo, li gen plis pase 20 lane nan endistri a kote l pale sou mizè pèp la, inegalite, ak lavi lari. Mizik li touche anpil fanatik an Ayiti ak nan dyaspora a.
Depi arestasyon an, anpil moun ap itilize etikèt tankou #FreeFantom ak #JusticePouFantom pou mande libere li epi fè limyè sou dosye a. Jiskaprezan, pa gen deklarasyon ofisyèl ki sòti nan gouvènman dominiken an sou sa k ap vini apre.
Nou pral kontinye mete ajou sou devlopman dosye a.
