"Baby Doc" is accused of corruption, embezzlement

Lawyer for Jean-Claude Duvalier says the charges stem from allegations the ex-dictator pilfered the treasury

By Jonathan M. Katz

Published January 18, 2011 10:46PM (EST)

** CORRECTS NAME OF WIFE TO VERONIQUE ROY ** Haiti's former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby-Doc" Duvalier, center, and his wife Veronique Roy are helped by a police officer as they are surrounded by reporters upon their arrival to the Toussaint Louverture international airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday Jan. 16, 2011. Duvalier returned to Haiti after nearly 25 years in exile, a surprising and perplexing move that comes as his country struggles with a political crisis and the stalled effort to recover from last year's devastating earthquake. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) (AP)
** CORRECTS NAME OF WIFE TO VERONIQUE ROY ** Haiti's former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby-Doc" Duvalier, center, and his wife Veronique Roy are helped by a police officer as they are surrounded by reporters upon their arrival to the Toussaint Louverture international airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday Jan. 16, 2011. Duvalier returned to Haiti after nearly 25 years in exile, a surprising and perplexing move that comes as his country struggles with a political crisis and the stalled effort to recover from last year's devastating earthquake. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) (AP)

A lawyer for Jean-Claude Duvalier says the former Haitian dictator is facing accusations of corruption and embezzlement for allegedly pilfering the treasury before his 1986 ouster.

Defense attorney Gervais Charles says the case is now in the hands of a judge of instruction who will decide whether there is enough evidence to go to trial.

That process can take up to three months.

Duvalier left court after a day of questions Tuesday and is headed back to his hotel.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) -- Former Haitian dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier is leaving court after spending much of the day answering questions before a judge.

Duvalier was not in handcuffs as left the court Tuesday with his longtime companion, Veronica Roy.

He is expected to head back to his hotel. Hundreds of people cheered him as he got into SUV with a police escort.


By Jonathan M. Katz

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