THE HAGUE, Netherlands, March 12 (UPI) -- The International Court for Justice said it would hear a Belgian case against Senegal for the extradition of Chad's former president for alleged atrocities.
The IJC confirmed it would "begin the public hearings in the case concerning questions relating to the obligation to prosecute or extradite (Belgium vs. Senegal)."
The case involves a Belgian request to extradite former Chadian President Hissene Habre. He was allegedly tied to the torture and killing of thousands of his political opponents from 1982-90. He denies the allegations, the BBC reports.
Those claiming to be victims of Habre filed complaints in Belgium, where a universal jurisdiction law gives judges authority to prosecute offenses regardless of the country.
The former president was charged with atrocities by a Belgium court in 2005. Senegal in January refused an extradition request.
Habre has been living in Senegal since he was ousted in 1990. A trial date is expected to be announced by the ICJ this month.
