Chad's Former Dictator Found Guilty, Sentenced to Life for Abuses

The landmark trial is the first time one country has tried the former leader of another for crimes against humanity

A judge has declared Chad's former dictator Hissene Habre guilty and sentenced him to life in prison for crimes against humanity, war crimes and torture.

Judge Gberdao Gustave Kam delivered the verdict and sentence Monday in a packed courtroom.

The landmark trial is the first time one country has tried the former leader of another for crimes against humanity. Habre was convicted of being responsible for some 40,000 deaths during his rule, according to a truth commission report.

The ex-dictator has denounced his trial on war crimes charges as being politically motivated.

The Extraordinary African Chambers was formed by Senegal and the African Union to try Habre, who has lived in Senegal's capital since fleeing Chad in 1990.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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