A Belgian jihadist accused of acts of genocide against the Yazidi religious minority in Iraq and Syria -- and presumed killed in conflict -- went on trial in absentia Thursday in Brussels.

Sammy Djedou, a former fighter with the Islamic State (IS) group, was reported by the Pentagon to have been killed in a 2016 airstrike in Raqqa, Syria.

Belgian authorities never received formal confirmation of his death, and opted to prosecute him in absentia, in the country's first trial related to mass crimes against the Yazidis.

Previously convicted in absentia on Belgian terrorism charges, Djedou faces charges of "genocide" for his alleged role from 2014 onwards in an IS campaign to exterminate the minority group.

He also stands accused of "crimes against humanity" for the suspected rape and sexu

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