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This Thursday, June 23, 2011 photo shows Aziz Deria in Washington. Deria has waited seven years to confront the former Somali leader he blames for the deaths of his father, brother and thousands of his countrymen. He could have his chance this week. Somal Luis M. Alvarez, Associated Press
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This Thursday, June 23, 2011 photo shows Aziz Deria in Washington. Deria has waited seven years to confront the former Somali leader he blames for the deaths of his father, brother and thousands of his countrymen. He could have his chance this week. Somal Luis M. Alvarez, Associated Press
View 2 more
This Thursday, June 23, 2011 photo shows Aziz Deria in Washington. Deria has waited seven years to confront the former Somali leader he blames for the deaths of his father, brother and thousands of his countrymen. He could have his chance this week. Somal Luis M. Alvarez, Associated Press
By Associated Press

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A long-running human-rights lawsuit against a former prime minister of Somalia now living in the U.S. is expected to finally reach a key stage this week.

In 2004 two Somali-American men filed a federal lawsuit against Mohamed Ali Samantar. He was a top lieutenant to dictator Siad Barre throughout the 1980s.

Samantar now lives quietly in Fairfax, Va., outside Washington. Plaintiff Aziz Deria of Bellevue, Wash., says his father and brother were killed in actions directed by Samantar.

A judge initially gave Samantar diplomatic immunity and tossed the lawsuit but the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the case.

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Samantar is scheduled to begin three days of depositions Thursday. Deria says holding Samantar accountable is worth the wait.

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