Bemba case: Trial Chamber III to hear witness P-169; closing oral statements in November 2014

Situation: Central African Republic
Case: The Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba

Today, 2 October 2014, Trial Chamber III of the International Criminal Court (ICC) decided that the closing oral statements in the case The Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba will take place during the week of 10 November 2014, unless other decided. Prior to the closing arguments, the Chamber will hear Witness P-169 as of 14 October 2014.

Following Witness P-169's testimony, the Prosecution and the Legal representative of victims shall have seven days, and the Defence shall have 14 days to file additional submissions to their closing briefs. These additional submissions shall relate exclusively to Witness P-169's testimony and any related evidence admitted by the Chamber.

Background: The trial in the Bemba case started on 22 November 2010 and the submission of evidence in the case was closed on 7 April 2014. Mr Bemba is allegedly criminally responsible, as military commander, for two counts of crimes against humanity (murder and rape) and three counts of war crimes (murder, rape and pillaging). Mr Bemba is in the Court's custody. The closing arguments were initially scheduled to start on 13 October 2014.

Further information on this case can be found here.

Notice of limited reopening of the presentation of evidence and rescheduling of closing statements

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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