Key dates since former Chadian dictator Hissene Habre went into exile in 1990, up to his trial for torture, war crimes and crimes against humanity, due to begin on July 20.
- 1990: Exile in Senegal -
In December, Habre is overthrown by rebel troops led by Idriss Deby and flees to Senegal.
His regime is accused of ferociously repressing opponents, many of whom were arrested, tortured and sometimes executed by the country's secret police, the Documentation and Security Directorate (DDS).
- 1992: Probe -
In May, a Chadian commission of inquiry says Habre's regime killed more than 40,000 people, many of them his political opponents and from rival ethnic groups.
- 2000-2005: Charges in Senegal and Belgium -
In January 2000, seven Chadians file a complaint against Habre in Dakar for crimes against humanity and acts of torture. A judicial inquiry is opened into the allegations.
In February, Habre is charged with "complicity in acts of torture" by a Senegalese judge, the first time an African country has indicted a former head of state from another country on the continent.
In November, Chadians living in Belgium file charges against Habre in Brussels.
Habre is arrested in November 2005, after Belgium issues an international arrest warrant against him for crimes against humanity, demanding he be extradited. Shortly afterwards Senegal's Appeals Court says it has no jurisdiction to rule on the extradition request and he is freed.
- 2008: Sentenced to death -
In August 2008, Habre and 11 rebel leaders are sentenced to death in absentia in Chad for crimes against humanity.
- 2012: Special court -
On June 25, the new Senegalese President Macky Sall says that Habre will by tried in Senegal and rules out his extradition.
In July, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) based in The Hague orders Senegal to try Habre if it is not going to extradite him.
On August 22, Senegal and the African Union sign an accord setting up a special court, the Extraordinary African Chambers, in Dakar. Senegal had been mandated in 2006 by the AU to try Habre, but former president Abdoulaye Wade dragged his feet.
In December, Senegalese parliamentarians, who had voted in new laws in 2007 opening the way for the trial, adopt the legislation on the special court.
- 2013: Arrest and charging -
On June 30, Habre is arrested and jailed in Dakar. Two days later he is charged with torture, war crimes and crimes against humanity by judges at the special court, who order that he be remanded in custody.
- 2015: Security chiefs jailed -
On March 25, seven of Habre's security chiefs are jailed for life for torture and murder by a special court in the capital N'Djamena.
- 2015: Trial in Senegal -
On February 13, Senegalese authorities order Habre to appear before the special tribunal to stand trial. In May the court says the trial will open on July 20 in Dakar.