Handover of Duvalier assets to Haiti ordered; Lawful origin of assets could not be proven
Bern, 12.2.2009 - The assets of former Haitian President Jean-Claude Duvalier which have been frozen in Switzerland are to be handed over to Haiti. The lawful origin of the assets, worth some 7 million Swiss francs, could not be proven by the account holders. The assets will now be used for development projects for the benefit of the Haitian population. Appeals against this Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) ruling may be lodged with the Swiss Federal Criminal Court within 30 days.