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Posted Tuesday, February 7, 2012

In Haiti, protesters called on president to prove he is still a Haitian citizen

By TRENTON DANIEL, Associated Press

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — A small band of protesters called Tuesday for Haitian President Michel Martelly to prove he's eligible for office as they destroyed posters that bore images of the leader.

The 100 or so demonstrators said Martelly should heed requests by lawmakers to show his travel documents in an effort to dispel allegations that he holds dual nationality, which would bar him from office under Haiti's constitution.

"We are taking to the streets to tell Martelly to show his passport," protester Ronald Jean-Charles said as others burned posters of the president. "If not, he should step down."

The anti-government protest was the first of its kind after a commission of lawmakers launched an investigation into allegations that Martelly is a citizen of not just Haiti but also the United States and Italy.

Martelly, a globe-trotting pop star who lived in South Florida before he was elected president last year, told reporters last week that there are no laws in Haiti that require him to present his passport.

"The passport is going to stay in the pocket of the president," he said.

The street demonstration came shortly after a smaller one during which about 50 people staged a sit-in in front of the Justice Ministry to criticize a judge's decision that recommended former dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier face trial for alleged financial crimes but not for more serious human rights abuses associated with his 15 years in power.

Those demonstrators defaced the facade of the government building with graffiti calling for Duvalier's arrest.

A group of activists and plaintiffs involved in the Duvalier case announced that they planned to file appeals in the coming days seeking a broader prosecution of the former dictator.

The parallel protests came on the 26th anniversary of the ouster of Duvalier, who was known during his rule by the nickname "Baby Doc."

Duvalier made a surprise return to Haiti last year following 25 years of exile in France. After his return, he was charged with embezzlement, human rights abuses and other crimes.

His lawyers say he is innocent of all the charges.\

Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press.

 

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