Bemba Case

The Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo

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Acquitted

Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo

President and Commander-in-chief of the Mouvement de libération du Congo (Movement for the Liberation of Congo) (MLC), at time of warrant. Arrest warrant: 10 June 2008

Charges: two counts of crimes against humanity: murder and rape; and three counts of war crimes: murder, rape and pillaging, allegedly committed between 2002 and 2003 in CAR.

Situation in CAR referred to the ICC

Government of CAR refers situation to the ICC

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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

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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

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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

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Trial begins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYSd93fzrSo

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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

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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

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​ICC Trial Chamber III declares Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanityPress releasePhotographs 

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Sentence

Sentence

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​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

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