New Delhi, Nov. 15 -- Ex-Congolese rebel leader Roger Lumbala began a hunger strike on Friday to protest his trial, which began this week over atrocities committed two decades ago during the Second Congo War.

Lumbala, who dismissed his lawyers and refused to appear in court after the first day of the trial on Wednesday claiming the French court has no legitimacy to try him, announced his hunger strike in a statement read by the head of the Paris criminal court, Marc Sommerer.

The ex-rebel leader has been charged with "criminal conspiracy to prepare crimes against humanity" and "complicity of crimes against humanity" during the conflict from 1998 to 2003.

He faces a possible sentence of life in prison. A verdict is expected Dec. 19 foll...