Tuesday, January 29, 2013
A federal judge will hear claims for damages against a former Somali military colonel who left the U.S. while facing civil allegations he tortured a human rights advocate.
A judge in Ohio on Monday scheduled a hearing for late May. It will mark the first time allegations brought against Col. Abdi Aden Magan (AHB'-dee AH'-den MAY'-gehn) will be heard in court.
Magan was found responsible last year for torture suffered by Abukar Hassan Ahmed (AB'-oo-kahr hah-SAHN' AHK'-mehd) in the 1980s. Ahmed alleged months of torture he endured make it painful for him to sit and left him incontinent.
Magan lived for several years in Ohio. He left the country before a judge found he directed human rights abuses under the regime of former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.
Source: AP