Closing statements in the Abd-Al-Rahman trial to take place on 11-13 December 2024: Practical information

The closing statements in the case The Prosecutor v. Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman ("Ali Kushayb") are scheduled to take place from 11 to 13 December 2024 at the seat of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or the “Court”) in The Hague, The Netherlands. Mr Abd-Al-Rahman is accused of 31 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Darfur, Sudan, between August 2003 and at least April 2004.

Statements will be made by the Office of the Prosecutor, the Legal Representatives of Victims, and the Defence. Judges may also ask questions and, if authorised by the Chamber, Mr Abd-Al-Rahman could make an unsworn statement himself. Subsequent to the closing statements, the judges will commence their deliberations and the judgment will be pronounced in due course.
Trial Chamber I is composed of Judge Joanna Korner, Presiding Judge, Judge Reine Alapini-Gansou and Judge Althea Violet Alexis-Windsor.

Background: Mr Abd-Al-Rahman is accused of 31 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Darfur, Sudan, between August 2003 and at least April 2004. The trial in the case opened before Trial Chamber I on 5 April 2022. 56 witnesses appeared in the courtroom during the presentation of the Prosecution’s case and the Prosecution has finished presenting its evidence. On 5 June 2023, the common Legal Representatives of Victims made an opening statement. On 5-7 June and 16-17 October 2023, they were authorised to call one witness and participating victims to provide their views before the Chamber. The Defence called 18 witnesses before the Chamber and has finished the presentation of its evidence.

For further information on this case, check here

Webstreaming: The hearings can be followed with a 30 minute-delay on the ICC website, in English, French and Arabic (Courtroom 2).

Attending the hearings:

• Members of the diplomatic corps, NGOs and other members of the public can request attendance via email to: [email protected] before10 December 2024. 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] before10 December 2024. 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).

Audio-visual materials:

Images of the hearings will be available for download in video (MPEG-4) and audio (MPEG-3) format, and for viewing on the official ICC YouTube Channel. For more information, please contact [email protected]

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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