Haiti court postpones Duvalier appeals hearing

Human rights groups in Haiti argue that there are international rulings that show crimes against humanity are exempt from a statute of limitations, and they say there is ample evidence of abuse to prosecute Duvalier.

The 61-year-old Duvalier would face no more than five years in prison if convicted of the financial crimes, which include embezzlement of public funds.

Duvalier has remained free during the court proceedings. The court placed him under house arrest but he has traveled the country without consequence. The Haitian government in December renewed Duvalier’s diplomatic passport as is customary for former presidents, his attorney said.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press

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