Jean Claude Duvalier had counted on the corruption and brutality of his reign in Haiti that ended in 1986 being forgotten. It now seems that the Haitian pubilc remembers more that Duvalier had counted on. The Guardian reports that "Baby Doc" has been arraigned in a Port Au Prince court on charges of misappropriation of funds, corruption and theft related to his 15 years as head of state in Haiti. A judge will investigate the charges and make a determination whether Mr. Duvallier will stand trial.
The scene outside the court was chaotic, with jeers and cheers rising from a crowd that included victims of the brutality associated with Duvalier's rule. Duvalier's ability to evade prosecution is diminished by the fact that he is in Haiti, where his crimes are alleged to have occurred, and the fact that the fortune with which he left Haiti is long gone, haveing been consumed by divorce lawyers and tax authorities.
Although human rights organisations and victims of his rule are eager for Duvalier to stand trial, some Haitians, who remember the time of his rule as being far more peaceful and prosperous than Haiti is today, want Baby Doc freed, possibly to participate in the post earthquake reconstruction of the ailing nation.
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http://globetribune.info/2011/01/18/jean...