Chad to seek international arrest warrants against rebel

Feb 12, 2007 (N’DJAMENA) — Chad is to seek international arrests warrants for some 20 rebel leaders, a government official said.

Justice Minister Abderamane Djasnabaille filed the charges with the chief prosecutor last Monday, according to a government official who requested anonymity.

The chief prosecutor was expected to issue arrest warrants for the suspects shortly, and to seek international warrants from Interpol.

The charges set out by the Chadian government allege that the rebels’ armed uprising was being supported by neighbouring Sudan, an allegation routinely denied by Khartoum.

Among those named in the charges were brothers Tom and Timane Erdimi, leaders of the Rally of Democratic Forces (RAFD), who were once key advisers to Chad’s President Idriss Deby Itno.

Also targetted were former defence minister Mahamat Nouri and Acheikh Ibn Oumar, respectively the president and vice-president of the Union of Forces for Democracy and Development (UFDD).

(AFP)