News and Highlights   Ntaganda Case: Opening of the confirmation of charges hearing is postponed 18/06/2013 Situation: Situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Case: The Prosecutor v. Bosco Ntaganda  On 17 June 2013, Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC) postponed the confirmation of charges hearing in the case against Bosco Ntaganda to 10 February 2014 and established a calendar for the disclosure of evidence and related requests. The confirmation of charges hearing was initially scheduled to open on 26 September 2013. Trial Chamber V(A) conditionally excuses William Samoei Ruto from continuous presence at the trial starting on 10 September 2013 18/06/2013 Situation: The Republic of Kenya Case: The Prosecutor v. William Samoei Ruto and Joshua Arap Sang  Today, 18 June 2013, Trial Chamber V(A) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) conditionally granted, by majority, the request of William Samoei Ruto to be excused from being physically present continuously throughout the trial, scheduled to start on 10 September 2013. The Chamber, however, requires him to be present for the entirely of the following sessions: opening and closing statements of all parties and participants and when victims present their views and concerns in person during the trial. He is also required to be present during the delivery of judgment in the case and, if applicable, sentencing and reparations and any other attendance that may be ordered by the Chamber. OTP Statement on Confirmation of Charges hearing in Laurent Gbagbo case 11/06/2013 “My Office has considered the decision by 2 out of 3 Judges of the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber adjourning the confirmation of charges hearing in the Laurent Gbagbo case to a later date. We have decided to seek leave to appeal in relation to three issues: (a) the applicable evidentiary standard for confirmation proceedings, (b) whether each incident underlying the contextual elements of crimes against humanity must be established to the standard of proof enshrined in article 61 (7) of the Statute; and (c) whether the Pre-Trial Chamber can order the Prosecution to amend the factual components of its charges.”  ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I rejects challenge to the admissibility of the case against Laurent Gbagbo 11/06/2013 Situation: Côte d’Ivoire Case: The Prosecutor v. Laurent Gbagbo  Today, 11 June 2013, the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) rejected the challenge to the admissibility of the case against Laurent Gbagbo, suspected of crimes against humanity, allegedly committed in the territory of Côte d’Ivoire between 16 December 2010 and 12 April 2011.