Habre's case was heard before the Extraordinary African Chambers, a
special criminal court set up by the AU within the Senegalese court
system.
Former Chad President Hissene Habre (R) , file.
Lawyers of former Chadian dictator Hissene Habre
on Monday demanded his "unconditional release within 48 hours," two
days after appealing his conviction for crimes against humanity.
Lawyer Ibrahim Diawara said Senegal's President Macky Sall should intervene and request the release of Habre, who was sentenced to life in prison by a Senegalese court at the end of May.
The trial against 73-year-old Habre had been unfair due to a technicality, Diawara said.
The jury empanelled to try the case had not been appointed in accordance with the law, the attorney said.
Habre's
case was heard before the Extraordinary African Chambers, a special
criminal court set up by the AU within the Senegalese court system.
The
chamber was created in 2013 amid criticism that the International
Criminal Court in The Hague has in the past unfairly targeted African
leaders.
The case against Habre was the first-ever trial of a former head of state in sub-Saharan Africa.
Habre
was found guilty of having coordinated crimes against humanity, which
included illegal detention, repression and sexual slavery.
He was also convicted for war crimes, torture and sexual slavery.
The
judges concluded that Habre had systematically hunted down opponents,
personally committed rape and torture and given written orders for
execution.
Rights groups estimate that Habre is responsible for the deaths of around 40,000 people during his rule.
About 200,000 people were reportedly tortured by his regime.
After living freely in exile in Senegal for 22 years, Habre was detained in Dakar in July 2013.
The US President Barack Obama had during a visit to Senegal expressed his support for Habre to be tried.
Habre's
arrest had been delayed for years by Senegal's administration, ignoring
Belgian courts' efforts to speed up the process and try him in Europe.
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