A former U.S. congressman was among a group of American attorneys accompanying former Haitian dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier as he spoke in the country's capital Friday.
Former Republican Congressman Bob Barr said he is not serving as Duvalier's attorney, but is in Port-au-Prince to consult, assist and be Duvalier's voice to the international community. Barr represented Georgia's 7th District in the U. S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003, and was the Libertarian Party's presidential nominee in 2008. He currently practices law and runs a consulting firm based in Atlanta.
"We have been asked by the former president and his family to assist him in his efforts," Barr told reporters in Port-au-Prince. He is representing Duvalier along with two other Georgia attorneys -- Ed Marger and Mike Puglise -- according to a statement on Barr's website.
"This is really more of a personal trip helping Duvalier and his family," Barr told CNN affiliate WXIA before leaving for Port-au-Prince.
Duvalier stunned the world by returning suddenly to Haiti on Sunday after 25 years in exile in France.
Police escorted Duvalier to court Tuesday, where a judge questioned him for hours. He faces charges of corruption and embezzlement on allegations he stole hundreds of millions of dollars from the national treasury. Human rights groups have mounted pressure on Haitian authorities to take Duvalier to court on abuse charges.
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