Jean-Claude Duvalier, the former Haitian president, would be returned to Haiti after twenty-five years of exile in France not to try to regain power, but in order to recover some $ 6 million frozen in Switzerland, according to an article Published Thursday, January 20 by the New York Times. Officially, "Baby Doc", Tuesday accused of corruption and embezzlement, has still not explained the reasons for his surprise return to the country last Sunday.In this section of the American newspaper, the reporter Ginger Thompson rejects the hypothesis of an attempted return to power of Mr. Duvalier and advances a novel explanation. "The return of Mr. Duvalier risky home may have been motivated by another reason: money," she writes. "Although Mr.
Duvalier has long been accused of looting $ 300 million in Haiti before fleeing, there are nearly twenty-five years, his lawyers and friends have always ensured that all the money had been wasted by a lavish lifestyle and purchases of jewelry, castles and luxury cars as well as very costly divorce with his ex-wife, "she says.
Now, she says, there would still be $ 6 million on a blocked account in Switzerland, and that Mr. Duvalier would like to retrieve. And the explanation given by one of his lawyers, Charles Gervais, that Baby Doc would get that money "just to be able to give the Red Cross" does not seem convinced.
In 2010, "just hours before the earthquake," Switzerland was estimated that at least 4.6 million dollars could be returned to Duvalier, which had then caused an outcry. The Swiss authorities have reacted by adopting what was called the "law Duvalier," and which countries have been looted by dictators can more easily recover these ill-gotten gains.
But this law will not take effect until 1 February and, to date, states that have filed complaints asking for money stolen from Switzerland must still demonstrate that they have begun an investigation into the suspected thief before funds can be made. "Thus, Thompson shows, if Mr. Duvalier was able to slip into the country and leave peacefully, without incident, as he had originally planned to do, it could be argued that Haiti did not pursue court, the money was his.
" The calculation of Mr. Duvalier was, therefore, that Haiti is currently in a state of weakness such, including administrative, that it was unable to prosecute against him. According to one analyst close to the government and questioned by the journalist who wished to remain anonymous, "it was a bet, simply." "He gambled because he has more money and that his health is declining, what had he to lose?" Le Monde.
en
- 5 reasons why Haiti's Jean-Claude Duvalier is infamous (20/01/2011)
- Jean-Claude 'Baby Doc' Duvalier: Five Reasons Why Haiti's Former Leader Is Infamous (20/01/2011)
- Jean-Claude Duvalier to Remain in Haiti (19/01/2011)
- Jean-Claude Duvalier Ends His Silence (22/01/2011)
- Jean-Claude 'Baby Doc' Duvalier Arrested Upon Haiti Return (18/01/2011)
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