Exiled Hissein Habre ‘forced’ to face judge
Former Chadian president Hissein Habre was taken out by force from his prison cell in Senegal’s capital, Dakar, and presented to a judge earlier today.
Mr Habre appeared for the first time before an African Union-backed court set up to try him for alleged atrocities committed during his rule from 1982 to 1990.
His lawyer Ibrahima Diawara told reporters that Mr Habre did not recognise the legitimacy of the court.
The ex-Chadian ruler did not answer any questions during his court appearance, which lasted for twenty minutes, Mr Diawara added.
Dubbed Africa’s Pinochet by his critics, Mr Habre has been exiled in Senegal since he was ousted from power.
Rights groups have waged a long campaign for him to be tried by an international tribunal on charges of torture, war crimes and crimes against humanity.