Ohio judge won't dismiss Somali torture claim suit

A federal judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit alleging torture claims against a former Somali military colonel who lives in Ohio.

Defendant Abdi Aden Magan (AHB'-dee AH'-den MAH'-gen) argues the lawsuit was filed in the wrong country and too long after when his accuser says the abuse occurred.

Former human rights advocate in Somalia Abukar Hassan Ahmed (ah-BOO'-kar HAHS'-sahn AK'-med) sued Magan in April 2010, alleging the colonel oversaw his detention and torture there in 1988.

U.S. District Court Judge George Smith on Monday ruled Ahmed had standing to sue in the United States and the time limit for filing such a lawsuit hadn't expired.

The judge relied in part on a motion from the U.S. Department of State saying Magan shouldn't be allowed to claim immunity from the allegations.