"We are gratified and heartened by the Belgian Supreme Court’s ruling," said JW Chairman Larry Klayman. "While successive American presidents have refused to prosecute the Castros for their crimes, with the help of Belgium, Judicial Watch is prepared to do so."

The Belgian ruling came in a case involving Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his then top general, who are accused of participating in massacres at Shabra and Shatila.

Judicial Watch’s case had been on hold until precedent had been set through the Sharon case. While Judicial Watch does not support the charges against the Israeli Prime Minister, clearly the decision has positive implications for JW¹s efforts to bring the Castros to justice.

The Court found that Sharon could not be prosecuted while in elected office, but that he is legally vulnerable once he leaves. This caveat should have no impact on JW’s Castro case because the Cuban dictator was never elected democratically and will never willingly step down. Futhermore, there is no immunity under international law for acts of terrorism, whether a national leader is elected democratically or not.

Regardless, since Raul Castro is not entitled to immunity under any scenario, JW’s legal actions against him can now proceed immediately.

Over their 40-year reign, the Castros have been responsible for the murder and torture of hundreds of thousands of Cuban citizens and exiles in addition to perpetrating other acts of terror against non-Cubans.