Chad dictator faces extradition

BRUSSELS, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Belgium is seeking the extradition from Senegal of former Chadian President Hissene Habre on an international warrant for crimes against humanity.

The extradition of Habre, known as "Africa's Pinochet," would mark the culmination of years of efforts by human rights groups to bring him to trial, reports Britain's Independent newspaper.

The report said Habre is not expected to escape his fate as former Chilean President Augusto Pinochet did when he persuaded British courts that he was "too ill" to stand trial in Spain in 1998.

A commission set up in Chad in 1992 accused Habre's regime of 40,000 political killings and 200,000 cases of torture during his eight years in power. He was deposed in 1990.

Habre's arrest warrant was issued under Belgium's "universal jurisdiction" law. An appeals court in Senegal must approve the order before he is extradited.