Africa News
Senegal refuses to extradite former Chadian leader
Jan 12, 2012, 12:15 GMT
Monrovia/Dakar - An appeals court in Senegal has refused to extradite the former president of Chad, Hissene Habre, who has been wanted for trial in Belgium since 2005.
Habre, who is accused of crimes against humanity during his rule from 1982 to 1990, has been living freely in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, for two decades.
Habre was first indicted in Senegal in 2000. But the relatives of his alleged victims sought to have him prosecuted in Belgium, after Senegal said it did not have the resources to try him.
Belgium says Habre orchestrated the killings of about 40,000 people during his time in power. Among them were opposition figures.
According to local media Thursday, Senegal's appeals court - which was handling the case after Belgium's July 2011 request for extradition was refused - said it would not comply.
'The court believes that Belgium's demand for extradition does not comply with Senegal's legal procedure,' the court said in a statement.
In an interview with the French newspaper la Croix last July, Senegal's President Abdoulaye Wade said that if the court complied, 'Habre could be extradited to Belgium by the end of the month.'
Rights groups say Belgium may now decide to issue a fresh demand.
Read more about Belgium
Read more about Chad
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