Habre’s verdict upheld

DAKAR: A special tribunal upheld the life sentence for Chad’s former president Hissene Habre for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the final decision of a landmark case, a judge presiding over the court in Senegal said yesterday.

Habre, 74, was sentenced last year to life in prison for rape and ordering the killing and torture of thousands of political opponents during his eight-year rule. The appeal court’s final verdict marks the end of a 17-year battle by victims and rights groups to bring the former leader to justice. The trial was conducted by the Extraordinary African Chambers. – Reuters