A Brussels appeals court said today it would rule on June 26th over whether Belgium has the right to prosecute Israeli leader Mr Ariel Sharon for alleged war
crimes over a 1982 massacre of Palestinian refugees.
Plaintiffs invoked the law to file a complaint against Under a controversial 1993 law, Belgian courts can claim universal jurisdiction over human rights abuses.
Mr Sharon 10 months ago over his alleged role in the 1982 Sabra and Shatila refugee camp killings by Israeli-backed Lebanese militiamen.
Mr Sharon was Israeli defence minister at the time of the refugee camp killings. An internal Israeli investigation found Mr Sharon, whose troops ringed the camps during the massacre, indirectly responsible.
The case against Mr Sharon has caused embarrassment in Belgium and strained its relations with Israel.
Today's hearing followed two rulings in a separate case involving a former Congolese foreign minister, which have thrown in doubt the validity of the 1993 Belgian law.
Last month the same appeals court threw out the case against former Congolese minister Mr Yerodia Aboulaye Ndombasi for crimes against humanity on the grounds that he did not live in Belgium.
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