Ousted Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide filed a lawsuit in Paris on Wednesday against unnamed French officials accusing them of "death threats, kidnapping and sequestration".
His French lawyer Gilbert Collard said Aristide's complaint accused France of playing a role in his departure from Haiti on February 29, when he was forced out by an army revolt and US pressure to quit.
Aristide has repeatedly accused the United States of forcing him into exile after a rebellion plunged Haiti into chaos. He plans to file an identical suit in the United States targeting American officials, Collard added.
France was the first country to call for the departure of Aristide from Haiti, which was one of its wealthiest colonies during the 18th century before a slave rebellion led to independence in 1804.
Washington and Paris deny Aristide's kidnap allegation. They say he agreed to leave Haiti and signed his own letter of resignation.
Aristide initially went to the Central African Republic and is temporarily in Jamaica.
The former leader has yet to decide whether he will accept permanent asylum in South Africa, his spokesman said last week, denying reports that an asylum deal had been reached.