DAKAR, Senegal – The judge presiding over the trial for Chad's former dictator Hissene Habre who faces charges of crimes against humanity, torture and war crimes during his rule has said a verdict will be given by May 30.
Judge Gberdao Gustave Kam made the statement Thursday after closing arguments for the unprecedented trial in which one African country is prosecuting the former ruler of another.
The Extraordinary African Chambers was established by Senegal and the African Union to try Habre on accusations of being responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people during his 1982-1990 rule.
His trial began in July 2015.
The prosecution recommended a life sentence for the ex-dictator.
Habre's defense lawyers Thursday argued against his direct role in abuses, and said the basis for the case lacked credibility.