Switzerland Monday moved to seize more than US$6 million frozen in Swiss accounts belonging to former Haitian dictator Jean-Claude ‘Baby Doc’ Duvalier.
The finance department says it has initiated forfeiture proceedings before the Federal Administrative Court, 25 years after the funds were first frozen in Switzerland.
Duvalier, 59, who had been living in exile in France since he was ousted in 1986, made a surprise return to the French-speaking CARICOM country in January, sparking fears that his return would have disrupted the March 20 presidential and legislative council elections.
Duvalier has since been slapped with several charges including corruption, theft and misappropriation of funds that were allegedly committed during his 15-year rule.
The Swiss government recently drew up a special law to prevent Duvalier or members of his family from reclaiming the estimated 5.8 million Swiss francs (US$6.7 million).
The government says it will give the money to Haiti for use in aid projects if the court action is successful.
Haiti is seeking billions of dollars in aid following the January 12 earthquake last year that killed an estimated 300,000 people and left more than a million others homeless.
– CMC
