Thursday, January 10, 2013
Prosecutor questions former Haitian President Aristide
By Susana Ferreira
PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - A prosecutor questioned former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide on Wednesday over accusations he used homeless children to elicit donations that were later used to help fund his political career.
 |
Haiti's former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide speaks during a news conference following his arrival at the international airport in Port-au- Prince March 18, 2011. REUTERS/Kena Betancur |
Aristide, who has not been charged with a crime, answered questions from prosecutor Lucmane Delille at his home on the outskirts of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince.
Ahead of the questioning, hundreds of Aristide supporters gathered outside a courthouse in a show of support for the ex-leader. Some criticized the investigation as politically motivated.
A small group of people have filed a complaint against Aristide alleging they are former street children who were rescued by Fanmi se Lavi, an organization Aristide created in the late 1980s to house and educate homeless orphans. They claim they were physically abused and used to raise money.
Neither Aristide or his lawyer, Mario Joseph, have publicly commented on the accusations.
Under Haiti's judicial system, once a prosecutor has completed the questioning, the case will either be dismissed or assigned to a judge who will decide whether to file any formal charges.
"We heard the other party and today we heard him," Delille told reporters. "If one citizen brings a complaint against another citizen, they must be heard. The former president understood that and he was in agreement."
A former Roman Catholic priest still popular among poor Haitians, Aristide became president of the impoverished Caribbean country in 1991 but was later ousted in a military coup.
He was elected again in 2000, but driven from power four years later in a rebellion led by former soldiers. Aristide returned to Haiti in 2011 after seven years in exile in South Africa.
(Editing by Kevin Gray and Stacey Joyce)
- Haze: Unhealthy air quality in Pasir Gudang, Larkin Lama, Kota Tinggi, Kemaman
- 15-year-old arrested after ordering five air rifles with brass bullets online
- Zahid: Government to review guidelines for hiring foreign workers to curb abuse, improve work conditions
- PM to head new fiscal policy committee to reduce deficit, increase growth
- Penang freak storm: Architect: force that hit Lim’s car would crush anything
- Penang freak storm: Inquest to be held to certify death of missing hawker
- Penang freak storm: ‘I saw his spirit, he was crying’
- Penang freak storm: Search called off for sake of heritage buildings
- Penang freak storm: Family grieves as search gets called off
- Asean ministers to discuss haze problem
- Norza receives green light to contest Umno polls
- Najib gets courtesy call from Victoria Premier
- Sole survivor of fatal accident discharged from hospital
- Dr M supports call for no-contest
- Address food hygiene issue seriously, says Chua
- Maybank, Tenaga lift KLCI out of the red
- Mudajaya scouts for regional power plants to boost recurring income
- Astro launches 11 new channels, 5 new packages
- Glove makers buck cautious market
- Fitters advances on venture into renewable energy sector
- AmResearch maintains "Buy" on Sarawak Cable Bhd
- Spain's high-speed trains and abandoned stations
- Affin Research maintains "Buy" call on DiGi, target price RM5.39
- Aeon Credit surges after strong earnings growth
- Google settlement clears way for new Class C stock
- Malaysia's KLCI open down, plantations and banks weigh
- Public Invest Research upgrades Petra Energy to Outperform
- India issues tenders for 12,000 tonnes of palmolein from Malaysia, Indonesia
- Malaysia-Market factors to watch on June 18 (Tuesday)
- Trading ideas: Bina Puri, construction stocks, healthcare
- Brutal golf course dooms US Open hopefuls in final round
- Queen’s title will boost Wimbledon bid, says Andy Murray
- Chong Wei misses the days top players bring out the best in him
- Results worldwide
- Malaysia target 30 golds at ASG
- World No. 1 hopes Daren and Wei Feng will step up their game
- Kisona stays focused ahead of Asian Junior Championships
- Spurs on brink of another NBA title
- Clarke: Hard for Warner to retain Test spot
- Costa retains Tour of Switzerland crown
- Justin Rose out-duels Mickelson to capture US Open title
- McIlroy loses his cool and takes it out on club
- Aussie confident his Day will come at a Major
- Mickelson suffers most agonising Open near-miss
- The long wait for 15th Major continues for world No. 1 Woods
- Penang freak storm: Architect: force that hit Lim’s car would crush anything
- Penang freak storm: ‘I saw his spirit, he was crying’
- Penang freak storm: Family grieves as search gets called off
- EPF plans ruling for new contributors
- Penang freak storm: Inquest to be held to certify death of missing hawker
- ‘Arigato’ for Japan’s decision on visas
- Penang freak storm: Search called off for sake of heritage buildings
- Meth head snatch thief in the bag
- Woman slashed by rival meat seller
- Sole survivor of fatal accident discharged from hospital
- EPF plans ruling for new contributors
- ‘Arigato’ for Japan’s decision on visas
- Penang freak storm: ‘I saw his spirit, he was crying’
- Penang freak storm: Architect: force that hit Lim’s car would crush anything
- Blue form route to AirAsia X IPO
- Tune Hotels aims for listing on Bursa in 2015
- Hartalega to emerge as industry game-changer
- Penang freak storm: Family grieves as search gets called off
- Zahid: Government to review guidelines for hiring foreign workers to curb abuse, improve work conditions
- Plans for coastal highway from Kota Baru to Pengerang
RSS
