Belgium seeks Habre extradition from Senegal
The Hague, 12 Mar – (ANA) - Belgium has asked the United Nations' highest court to order Senegal to put former Chad President Hissene Habre on trial or to extradite him to face charges of torture and crimes against humanity.
A ruling by the International Court of Justice, the highest U.N. legal body for disputes between nations, will be closely watched for a precedent by other countries seeking the extradition of war crimes suspects.
Belgium, whose legal system allows it to prosecute serious crimes committed abroad, accused Habre of the crimes in 2005, but he had fled his homeland to Senegal. Courts there have denied Belgium's extradition requests.
Senegal, which will make its plea for the court later this week, is under pressure to allow Habre to face justice, with the African Union recently urging it to either try the former leader itself or send him to a country that would.
Habre ruled Chad between 1982-90 and has lived under house arrest in Senegal since being overthrown. Belgium has requested Habre's extradition four times before deciding in 2009 to bring the case to the Hague-based court. (ANA)
FA/ANA/12 March 2012---------