Swiss ‘Duvalier Law’ Eases Rules on Seizure of Dictators’ Assets
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Switzerland has eased the rules on the confiscation of dictators’ illegal assets under a new law that could see former Haitian ruler Jean-Claude Duvalier’s Swiss holdings sent back to the nation’s government.
The legislation taking effect today allows countries to obtain the restitution of a despot’s funds even without producing a domestic court conviction, the Foreign Ministry said today in an e-mailed statement from Bern. Known as the “Duvalier Law,” it replaces more rigid requirements that many developing nations can’t meet.