Abd–Al-Rahman case: Confirmation of charges hearing to open on 24 May 2021 – Practical Information
The confirmation hearing in the case The Prosecutor v. Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman is scheduled to open on 24 May 2021 at 9:30 (The Hague local time) before Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Pre-Trial Chamber II is composed of Judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala (Presiding judge), Judge Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua and Judge Tomoko Akane.
The hearing is scheduled from 24 to 27 May 2021 in Courtroom III. The Prosecutor, the Defence, the Office of Public Counsel for the Victims and the joint Legal representatives of the victims will make oral submissions before the judges to present their arguments on the merits.
The purpose of the confirmation of charges hearing is to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the person committed each of the crimes charged. If the charges are confirmed, the case will be transferred to a Trial Chamber, which will conduct the subsequent phase of the proceedings: the trial.
Background: According to the Prosecution's submission of the Document Containing the Charges, Mr Abd-Al-Rahman is suspected of 31 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed between August 2003 and at least April 2004 in Darfur, Sudan. Mr Abd-Al-Rahman was transferred to the ICC's custody on 9 June 2020, after surrendering himself voluntarily in the Central African Republic. His initial appearance before the ICC took place on 15 June 2020.
For further information on this case, check here
Related documents:
Webstreaming of the hearing:
The hearing can be followed with 30-minute delay on the ICC website, in English, French and Arabic, and the opening of the hearing in Arabic on the ICC YouTube Channel; and in English and French on the ICC Facebook accounts.
Attending the hearing:
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, access to the Court's premises is restricted to protect the safety and well-being of users. A limited number of public and media representatives will be granted access to the hearing at the seat of the Court, following measures against coronavirus including wearing a mask and keeping a distance of 1.5 metres.
Members of the diplomatic corps, NGOs and other members of the public can request attendance via email to: [email protected] before Thursday 20 May 2021 at 16:00. Attendees must present a valid passport or valid ID with a photo at the main entrance of the Court (at: Oude Waalsdorperweg 10, 2597 AK The Hague).
Journalists wishing to cover the hearing can request accreditation via email to: [email protected] before Thursday 20 May 2021 at 16:00. All journalists must present a valid press card, and a valid passport or valid ID with a photo, at the main entrance of the Court (at: Oude Waalsdorperweg 10, 2597 AK The Hague).
Individuals who have not received a confirmation in advance of the hearing will not be granted access to the building. Those attending are advised to arrive 20 minutes in advance before the hearing starts.
Audio-visual materials:
Images of the hearing will be available for download in video (MPEG-4) and audio (MPEG-3) format, and for viewing on the official ICC YouTube Channel.
Photographs of the hearing will be available on the ICC Flickr account. For information on audio-visual matters, please contact [email protected]
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]
You can also follow the Court's activities on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, YouTube and Flickr