Thomas Lubanga Dyilo will remain in custody

ICC-CPI-20081118-PR373

Situation: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Case: The Prosecutor v. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo

During a hearing today, Trial Chamber I decided not to grant the release nor provisional release of Mr Thomas Lubanga Dyilo. The accused will remain under the custody of the Court until the beginning of the trial which has been provisionally scheduled to start 26 January 2009.

"We remain of the view that the overall circumstances have not changed as regards detention being a necessary step to ensure that Mr Lubanga will attend his trial.  As with all the accused before this Court, he faces grave charges, and consistently with our earlier decisions, we are of the view that if released he is likely to attempt to avoid standing his trial" said Judge Sir Adrian Fulford during the hearing.

This morning, Trial Chamber I decided to lift the stay of proceedings in the case of The Prosecutor v. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo that had been imposed on 13 June 2008. The decision of the Chamber is based on the conviction that the reasons for imposing a halt “have fallen away”. The full reasoning will be explained in a written decision in due course.

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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: Trial Chamber I