Decision postponing the hearings with States on Mr Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo's conditional release
Situation: Central African Republic
Case: The Prosecutor v. Jean Pierre Bemba Gombo
On 3 September 2009, Pre-Trial Chamber II issued a decision postponing the public hearings on Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo's conditional release, until the Appeals Chamber has ruled on the appeal against the decision made on14 August 2009, on interim release. The hearings were initially scheduled to be held on 7 to 11 September and on 14 September, with representatives of the Kingdom of Belgium, the Republic of Portugal, the Republic of France, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Italian Republic, and the Republic of South Africa.
Pre-Trial Chamber II had invited those States, to which Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo requested to be released, to provide informative observations on the questions of his interim release onto their territory and any possible set of conditions restricting liberty to be imposed.
Judge Trendafilova, acting as Single Judge, noted the Appeals Chamber decision of 3 September 2009, granting suspensive effect to the Prosecutor’s appeal against the decision on the interim release of Mr Bemba. Being mindful of the possibility that the Appeals Chamber overturns the decision on the interim release, the Single Judge considered it unfeasible, at this stage, to proceed with convening the public hearings as initially scheduled. The Single Judge also took into consideration the need to preserve the Court's resources.
Decision Postponing the Hearings with States on Mr Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo's Conditional Release and Considering the Defence's Additional Applications
For further information please contact Ms Sonia Robla, Head of Public Information and Documentation Section at +31 (0)70 515-8089 or (0)6 46 44 87 26 or at [email protected]