The confirmation of charges hearing in the case of The Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo is postponed

ICC-CPI-20081202-PR378

Situation: Central African Republic
Case: The Prosecutor v. Jean Pierre Bemba Gombo

Today, Pre-Trial Chamber III decided to postpone the confirmation of charges in the case of The Prosecutor vs. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo originally scheduled from 8 to 12 December 2008. The Chamber envisages 12 January 2009 as the earliest possible date for conducting the hearing. However, the exact date will be determined in a decision to be issued by 29 December 2008.

The Chamber is not in a position to carry out its functions for the confirmation hearing of 8 December as one of the three judges is granted leave of absence by the Presidency due to grave family circumstances until January 2009.

Background

Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, alleged national of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), aged about 45 years old, was arrested on 24 May 2008 by the Belgian authorities following a Court’s warrant of arrest. He was surrendered and transferred to the International Criminal Court on 3 July.

Mr Bemba, President and Commander in Chief of the Mouvement de libération du Congo (MLC), is alleged to be criminally responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed on the territory of the Central African Republic from 25 October 2002 to 15 March 2003.

Thus Jean-Pierre Bemba is allegedly criminally responsible, jointly with another person or through other persons, within the meaning of article 25(3)(a) of the Rome Statute, for:

-     three counts of crimes against humanity: rape (article 7(1)(g)), torture (article 7(1)(f)), and murder (article 7(1)(a));

-     five counts of war crimes: rape (article 8(2)(e)(vi)), torture (article 8(2)(c)(i)), committing outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment (article 8(2)(c)(ii)), pillaging a town or place (article 8(2)(e)(v)), and murder (article 8(2)(c)(i)).

02.12.2008 - Decision on the Postponement of the Confirmation Hearing
ICC-01/05-01/08-304

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For further information please contact Ms Sonia Robla, Head of Public Information and Documentation Section at +31 (0)70 515-8089 or +31 (0) 646448726 or at sonia.robla@icc-cpi.int

Source: Pre-Trial Chamber III