'Baby Doc' in Haitian court

The allegations against Duvalier, who is popularly known as "Baby Doc," stem from the 15 years in which he ruled Haiti until a popular uprising forced him into exile in France in1986.

Opposition activists from that era have accused him of a long list of human rights abuses, including using a force of militiamen known as the Tonton Macoute to silence his critics and complicity in extra-judicial killings, torture and kidnapping.

The actual legal issue up for discussion at Thursday's hearing was whether he could be tried so long after the alleged abuses took place. A Haitian court ruled last year that this was no longer possible due to Haiti's statute of limitations, but that decision was appealed by some of his alleged victims.

During the hearing, Duvalier denied any wrongdoing. Asked by the judge about he allegations that he had ordered illegal arrests, torture and political killings, Duvalier denied responsibility.

"Each time cases were reported, I intervened so that justice was rendered," Duvalier said.

He also claimed that Haitians enjoyed a better life under his dictatorship.

"I cannot say life was great but people lived decently," Duvalier said. "Upon my return I found a country in ruins and engulfed by corruption. It is my turn to ask, 'what have you done with my country?'"

Following his ouster in 1986, Duvalier spent 25 years in exile before returning to Haiti two years ago. He had first come to power as a 19-year-old in 1971, following the death of his father and predecessor as president, Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier.

Human rights groups, expressed satisfaction on Thursday that Duvalier was finally in court to face his alleged victims. Some of them are to testify when the hearing resumes in a week's time.

pfd/ccp (Reuters, AP, AFP)