Bemba et al. case: Trial Chamber VII to hold hearing on Mr Bemba’s detention on 12 June 2018
Trial Chamber VII of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced that it will hold a status conference on Tuesday 12 June 2018, at 11:00 in the case of The Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, Aimé Kilolo Musamba, Jean-Jacques Mangenda Kabongo, Fidèle Babala Wandu and Narcisse Arido to discuss the matter of the continued detention of Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo on account of his conviction for offences against the administration of justice. A decision on this matter will be made subsequently in due course.
The presence of the convicted persons is not necessary for the purpose of this status conference. The Counsel of Mr Kilolo and Mr Mangenda are invited to participate, but are not obliged to do so.
Background: On 8 June 2018, the Appeals Chamber decided, by majority, to acquit Mr Bemba from the charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in the Central African Republic ("CAR").
Following this Judgment, the Chamber indicated that there was no reason to continue Mr Bemba's detention on the basis of the case related to alleged crimes in the CAR and that it would be for Trial Chamber VII to decide whether Mr Bemba's continued detention is warranted in relation to his conviction for offences against the administration of justice.
On 19 October 2016, Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, Aimé Kilolo Musamba, Jean-Jacques Mangenda Kabongo, Fidèle Babala Wandu and Narcisse Arido were found guilty of offences against the administration of justice related to intentionally corruptly influencing witnesses and soliciting false testimonies of defence witnesses in the other case against Mr Bemba at the ICC. On 22 March 2017, Trial Chamber VII delivered the sentences in the case. On 8 March 2018, the Appeals Chamber confirmed the convictions in respect of most of the charges. However, it acquitted Mr Bemba, Mr Kilolo and Mr Mangenda of the charge of presenting evidence that a party knows is false or forged. The convictions and acquittals in relation to the five accused are now final. Regarding the sentences, the Appeals Chamber rejected the appeals of Mr Bemba, Mr Babala and Mr Arido; the sentences imposed on Mr Babala and Mr Arido are now final. But the Appeals Chamber granted the Prosecutor's appeal. It reversed the sentences of Mr Bemba, Mr Mangenda and Mr Kilolo and remanded the matter to the Trial Chamber for a new determination.
For further information on the case, click here.
Webstreaming of the hearing
The hearing can be followed with a 30-minute delay on the ICC website at: http://player.cdn.tv1.eu/statics/66005/icc.html
Attending the hearing
Members of the diplomatic corps, NGOs and other members of the public can request attendance via email to: [email protected]. 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]. 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).
Please note that individuals who do not confirm their attendance in advance cannot be guaranteed access to the hearing. In order to avoid delays in accessing the building, those attending are advised to arrive one hour before the hearing starts.
ICC Media Centre
For media representatives wishing to use the Court's media facilities, the Media Centre will open at 08:30. The ICC Media Centre is located in the building's 'Court Tower'. It is composed of hot desk areas, which can sit up to 104 people, and two interview rooms. The Media Centre distributes the video and embedded audio of the hearing, via HD-SDI with a female BNC connection. Journalists wishing to connect to this should bring compatible equipment and a BNC cable. Power is provided (European plug). Wi-Fi connection is available in the Media Centre. More information: Practical Guide for the Media
AV materials
Filming or photography is strictly prohibited inside the Court building, apart from the interview rooms and the Media Centre area.
Images of the hearing will be available for download in video (MPEG-4) and audio (MPEG-3) format.
Parking facilities
Media representatives can use the ICC's Visitor Parking.
SNG vehicles
The ICC Parking includes an area for SNG vehicles. BNC connections are available and the video format is HD-SDI with embedded Audio (8 dual mono pairs): Channel 1 – Floor language (international audio); Channel 2 - English interpretation; Channel 3 - French interpretation; Channel 4 - 8 - Other languages, or if no interpretation then Floor language will be sent.
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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