Bemba et al. case: four accused remain on conditional release awaiting penalties; one accused remains in detention

Situation: Central African Republic
Case: The Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, Aimé Kilolo Musamba, Jean-Jacques Mangenda Kabongo, Fidèle Babala Wandu and Narcisse Arido

Today, 19 October 2016, Trial Chamber VII of the International Criminal Court (ICC) decided that Aimé Kilolo Musamba, Jean-Jacques Mangenda Kabongo, Fidèle Babala Wandu and Narcisse Arido shall remain on conditional release, pending the imposition of penalties in their case. This decision was announced after relevant submissions of parties at a public hearing held following a guilty verdict in the case. The Chamber shall pronounce the penalties in due course.

Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo remains in ICC custody in relation to the Main Case, in which he was found guilty and sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment.

Background: Aimé Kilolo Musamba, Jean-Jacques Mangenda Kabongo, Fidèle Babala Wandu and Narcisse Arido were on conditional release during their trial by decision of Trial Chamber VII of 17 August 2015.

Earlier today, Trial Chamber VII found Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, Aimé Kilolo Musamba, Jean-Jacques Mangenda Kabongo, Fidèle Babala Wandu and Narcisse Arido guilty of various offences against the administration of justice. These offences related to the false testimonies of defence witnesses in another case against Mr Bemba before the ICC.

Further information on this case can be found here.

For further information, please contact Fadi El Abdallah, Spokesperson and Head of Public Affairs Unit, International Criminal Court, by telephone at: +31 (0)70 515-9152 or +31 (0)6 46448938 or by e-mail at: [email protected].

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