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Swiss to return 'Baby Doc' assets | Swiss to return 'Baby Doc' assets |
(3 days later) | |
Switzerland says it will return the assets of former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier to Haiti for use on development projects. | Switzerland says it will return the assets of former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier to Haiti for use on development projects. |
The $6m (£4.2m) has been frozen in Swiss bank accounts since 1986 when he fled to France amid rising unrest. | The $6m (£4.2m) has been frozen in Swiss bank accounts since 1986 when he fled to France amid rising unrest. |
The Swiss Federal Office of Justice said the Duvaliers had failed to prove the money was of legitimate origin and were therefore not entitled to it. | The Swiss Federal Office of Justice said the Duvaliers had failed to prove the money was of legitimate origin and were therefore not entitled to it. |
They now have 30 days to appeal against the ruling. | They now have 30 days to appeal against the ruling. |
Hundreds of thousands of Haitians continue to suffer from the impact of four tropical storms and hurricanes that battered the impoverished nation in 2008. | Hundreds of thousands of Haitians continue to suffer from the impact of four tropical storms and hurricanes that battered the impoverished nation in 2008. |
Repressive rule | Repressive rule |
The Duvaliers ruled Haiti from 1957 when Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier came to power, and entrenched his rule with a brutal private militia: the Tontons Macoutes. | |
When "Papa Doc" died in 1971, "Baby Doc", then 19, was named president for life and continued the repressive rule of his father. | When "Papa Doc" died in 1971, "Baby Doc", then 19, was named president for life and continued the repressive rule of his father. |
During their 31-year family dictatorship tens of thousands of people were killed, some tortured to death. | During their 31-year family dictatorship tens of thousands of people were killed, some tortured to death. |
"Baby Doc" was alleged to have brought with him a fortune of tens of millions of dollars looted from Haiti, and for the first years of exile he lived in luxury on the Cote d'Azur. | "Baby Doc" was alleged to have brought with him a fortune of tens of millions of dollars looted from Haiti, and for the first years of exile he lived in luxury on the Cote d'Azur. |
However, a costly divorce from his wife is said to have severely degraded his fortune. | However, a costly divorce from his wife is said to have severely degraded his fortune. |
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