20110709
Reuters
N'DJAMENA (Reuters) - Senegal will next week send former Chadian president Hissene Habre, who is accused of thousands of killings during his rule, back home, where he would be given a fair trial, Chad said on Friday.

Habre has lived in exile in Senegal since his he was ousted by current President Idriss Deby in 1990, with Dakar until now resisting pressure by rights groups to either try him or send him to a country that will.

Moustapha Guirassy, a spokesman for Senegal's government, on Friday confirmed an earlier statement by Chad that Habre would be sent home, but did not say when.

"The government will contact the African Union, human rights groups and victims groups to ensure the organisation of a fair trial in Chad," Kalzeubet Payimi Deubet, Chad's communications minister, said on Friday.

Deubet said Habre would be sent home on a Senegalese-chartered plane on Monday, July 11.

During over a decade of wrangling over where Habre should stand trial, Senegal has complained at first it did not have the jurisdiction to hold a trial. Once laws were changed, Dakar said it also lacked the funds.

Belgium has also sought his extradition.

Rights groups accused Habre of widespread atrocities during his rule between 1982 and 1990, including waves of ethnic campaigns, during his time in power.