Habre Charged With Torture
February 3, 2000 

DAKAR, Senegal (PANA) - A court in Dakar Thursday charged former Chadian
President Hissene Habre for perpetrating torture and acts of barbarity
during his regime. 

However, the court rejected charges of crimes against humanity which had
been levelled against Habre, who has lived in the Senegalese capital since
December 1990 when he was overthrown by Idriss Deby, the current leader. 

Since Friday, a senior judge had been hearing testimony from five Chadians
who had laid charges against the former president. 

The Chadians, flown to Dakar by a number of international human rights
organisations, said they were acting on behalf of hundreds of their
compatriots who died during torture, political assassination and others who
disappeared. 

The Chadians were backed by Dakar-based Chadians and a group of Senegalese,
American and French advocates. 

Copyright © 2000 Panafrican News Agency. All Rights Reserved. 

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