The Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo
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On 8 June 2018, the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court decided, by majority, to acquit Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo from the charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Situation in CAR referred to the ICC
Government of CAR refers situation to the ICC
ICC-01/05-01/08
Investigations begin in CAR
OTP opens investigations in CAR, informs CAR Government, Pre-Trial Judges and ICC President of decision
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Arrest warrant requested
OTP submits application to Pre-Trial Judges requesting arrest warrant for Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo (Bemba)
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Arrest warrant issued under seal
Pre-Trial Judges issue arrest warrant under seal for Mr BembaNote: The original doc n° was ICC-01/05-01/08-1-US
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Suspect arrested; arrest warrant unsealed
Mr Bemba arrested by Belgian authorities; Pre-Trial Judges unseal arrest warrant
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Second arrest warrant issued
Pre-Trial Judges issue new arrest warrant with additional charges.
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Suspect transferred to ICC custody
Bemba transferred and surrendered to the ICC through cooperation with Belgian and Dutch authoritiesPress release
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First appearance
First appearance
ICC-CPI
Pre-Trial phase begins as Bemba has first day in Court before Judges of Pre-Trial Chamber IIIPhotographs
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Confirmation of charges hearing opens
ICC-CPI
Pre-Trial phase continues as Pre-Trial Judges open hearing to consider evidence in order to decide whether or not to confirm the charges and commit the Bemba case to trial Press releasePhotographs
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Confirmation of charges hearing closes
Pre-Trial Judges to deliberate and decide in due course whether or not to confirm the charges and commit the Bemba case to trial
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Decision: Charges confirmed
Pre-Trial Chamber II confirms charges and commits Mr Bemba to trial; Trial phase begins
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Accused granted interim release
Pre-Trial Chamber II Judges uphold decision granting Mr Bemba interim release
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Prosecution appeals decision
Prosecution appeals Trial Chamber II decision granting Mr Bemba interim release
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Appeals Chamber reverses the decision of Pre-Trial Chamber II
Pre-Trial Chamber II decision granting Mr Bemba interim release is reversed, Mr Bemba remains in the custody of the CourtPress release
ICC-01/05-01/08
Trial begins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYSd93fzrSo
ICC-CPI
Trial phase: Bemba trial opens before Trial Chamber III
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Additional case opens
Bemba and four others are suspected of offences against the administration of justice (Article 70 crimes)
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Closing statements
Closing statements
ICC-CPI
Trial Chamber III hears closing oral statements from the Office of the Prosecutor, Defence and Legal Representative of VictimsPress releasePhotographs Transcripts:ICC-01/05-01/08-T-364ICC-01/05-01/08-T-365-Red
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Verdict
Verdict
ICC-CPI
ICC Trial Chamber III declares Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanityPress releasePhotographs
ICC-01/05-01/08
Sentence
Sentence
ICC-CPI
ICC Trial Chamber III sentences Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo to 18 years’ imprisonment for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Central African Republic in 2002-2003SentencePress releasePhotographs
ICC-01/05-01/08
ICC Appeals Chamber acquits Mr Bemba from charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity
ICC Appeals Chamber acquits Mr Bemba from charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity Judgment on the appeal of Mr Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo against Trial Chamber III's "Judgment pursuant to Article 74 of the Statute" Dissenting Opinion of Judge Sanji Mmasenono Monageng and Judge Piotr Hofmański Separate Opinion of Judge Van den Wyngaert and Judge Morrison Summary of the judgment Questions and answers Photographs of the hearing
ICC-01/05-01/08