[JURIST] African Union [official website] officials are expected to ask a panel of legal experts to determine whether former Chad President Hissene Habre [HRW backgrounder] should be extradited to Belgium to face human rights charges, a senior African Union official said Tuesday. Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade said any such panel would likely recommend using an African court [Reuters report] to try the former ruler, who is currently living in Senegal. Belgium issued a warrant for Habre's arrest last year on charges of torture and murder during his rule from 1982 to 1990, but Habre has denied knowledge of the atrocities. Senegal referred his extradition to the African Union after a Senegalese court refused to rule on the issue. Reuters has more.

Previously on JURIST's Paper Chase...

• Senegal president calls for Africa 'dictator' court
• African Union to decide on Habre extradition for Belgian crimes trial
• Arrested Chad ex-leader in legal limbo after Senegal court ducks extradition jurisdiction
• Ex-Chad president held in Senegal on crimes against humanity charges
• Belgium issues international arrest warrant for former Chad leader