A Belgian court today heard arguments over whether Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon should be prosecuted for crimes against humanity, ahead of a decision on the controversial case expected early next year.
Belgian law allows the prosecution of foreigners, including heads of state, for alleged rights abuses and war crimes committed abroad. The case has caused tensions with Israel.
Mr Sharon faces lawsuits filed by Palestinians in Brussels about his alleged role in the 1982 massacre of Palestinians in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps near Israeli-occupied Beirut. An Israeli inquiry in 1983 found Mr Sharon, then defence minister, indirectly responsible.
Lawyers representing the plaintiffs presented to a Brussels appeals court their arguments about whether an examining magistrate should proceed with the investigation.
Mr Sharon's lawyers were expected to have their turn in late January and the court's decision would follow weeks later, an Israeli observer told Reutersat the court house.
They are to contest the lifting of diplomatic immunity, which the law allows, and argue that accused parties should only be prosecuted if found on Belgian soil.
Yesterday, Israelis filed a complaint against Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat under the same Belgian law, accusing him and his lieutenants of acts of violence dating back to 1974.
Relations with Israel have deteriorated since the first of three complaints against Mr Sharon was filed in June.
Hostility greeted Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt in Jerusalem this month, its mayor suggesting he go to hell.
Mr Sharon dealt Belgium, heading a European Union mission as holder of the rolling EU presidency, a stinging rebuff by urging the EU to stop funding the Palestinian Authority.
Cuban President Fidel Castro and Iraqi President Saddam Hussein have also had human rights complaints filed against them in Brussels.