Media Advisory: 29 March 2022

Opening of the Abd-Al-Rahman trial, 5 April 2022: Practical information

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Mr Abd–Al-Rahman during the opening of the confirmation of charges hearing at the seat of the Court in The Hague (The Netherlands) on 24 May 2021 ©ICC-CPI

On 5 April 2022 at 9:30 (The Hague local time), the trial in the case The Prosecutor v. Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman ("Ali Kushayb") will open before Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court ("ICC" or "Court") for 31 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Darfur, Sudan. Trial Chamber I is composed of Judge Joanna Korner, Presiding Judge, Judge Reine Alapini-Gansou and Judge Althea Violet Alexis-Windsor.

The hearings are scheduled from 5 April 2022 onwards. The Chamber will hear the Prosecution's opening statement first, followed by a short unsworn statement by the accused and a short remark presented by the Legal Representatives of Victims ("LRV"). The Prosecution will be given six hours to present its opening statements; followed by the first Prosecution witness, an expert scheduled to start on 6 April 2022.

Webstreaming of the hearing:

The hearing can be followed with a 30 minute-delay on the ICC website, in English, French and Arabic (Courtroom 3), 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] at least 24 hours prior to the hearing. 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] at least 24 hours prior to the hearing. 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.

AV 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]

Background: 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. The confirmation of charges hearing was held before Pre-Trial Chamber II from 24 to 26 May 2021. On 9 July 2021, Pre-Trial Chamber II unanimously, issued a decision confirming all the charges brought by the Prosecutor against Mr Abd-Al-Rahman and committed him to trial before a Trial Chamber. The 31 charges include intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population as such, as a war crime; murder as a crime against humanity and as a war crime; pillaging as a war crime; destruction of the property of an adversary as a war crime; other inhumane acts as a crime against humanity; outrages upon personal dignity as a war crime; rape as a crime against humanity and a war crime; forcible transfer as a crime against humanity; persecution as a crime against humanity; torture as a crime against humanity and a war crime; cruel treatment as a war crime; attempted murder as a crime against humanity and a war crime. Mr Abd-Al-Rahman is in ICC custody.

For further information on this case, check here.

Related materials :

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