Submit this form
Home News Videos Music Photos Facebook Twitter Friends Newsletter Podcasts Mobile RSS
ICC: Jean-Pierre Bemba interim release suspended pending final decision on appeal

ICC - September 3, 2009
Jean-Pierre Bemba

Today 3 September 2009, the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court decided to grant suspensive effect to the Prosecutor’s Appeal against the Pre-Trial Chamber II decision, dated 14 August 2009, which granted Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo “conditional release”. Hence, implementation of the decision on interim release is suspended pending the final decision on the merits of the Prosecution’s Appeal.

Pre-Trial Chamber II had decided, on 14 August, to grant the request of Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo for interim release, albeit under conditions. Pre-Trial Chamber II held that the continued detention of Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo did not appear necessary:

(i) to ensure the appearance of Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo at trial,

(ii) to ensure that he does not obstruct or endanger the investigation or the court proceedings and,

(iii) to prevent Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo from continuing with the commission of the same or related crimes which are with in the jurisdiction of the Court and which arise out of the same circumstances in the present case.

However, Pre-Trial Chamber II had deferred the implementation of its decision pending a determination in which State Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo will be released and which set of conditions shall be imposed.

Background

Jean-Pierre Bemba was arrested on 24 May 2008, by the Belgian authorities, pursuant to a warrant of arrest delivered by the Pre-Trial Chamber, and was surrendered to the ICC on 3 July 2008. He is accused of being criminally responsible, for having effectively acted as a military commander, for war crimes (murder, rape and pillaging) and crimes against humanity (murder and rape). These crimes were allegedly committed during an armed conflict which took place in the Central African Republic from 26 October 2002 to 15 March 2003. In the context of this conflict, the MLC forces, led by Mr Bemba, allegedly directed a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population in particular, in Bangui, Boy-Rabé, Point Kilomètre 12 (PK 12), Point Kilomètre 22 (PK 22) and Mongoumba, that targeted a significant number of civilian victims.


Related articles


  1. Bemba, Katumbi renew their support for joint opposition presidential candidate Fayulu (November 16, 2018)
  2. Oppositioin leaders pick Martin Fayulu as joint presidential candidate (November 11, 2018)
  3. Jean-Pierre Bemba banned from running for president (August 25, 2018)
  4. Bemba says Katumbi should be allowed to run for president (August 4, 2018)
  5. Jean-Pierre Bemba Returns to DR Congo (August 1, 2018)
  6. Jean-Pierre Bemba named MLC presidential candidate (July 13, 2018)
  7. ICC Confirms 14-Year Sentence Against Thomas Lubanga (December 1, 2014)
  8. ICC Case Against Bemba Wrapping Up as Another Opens (November 12, 2014)
  9. ICC confirms war crimes charges against Bosco Ntaganda (June 10, 2014)
  10. ICC sentences Germain Katanga to 12 years (May 23, 2014)
  11. Kerry in DR Congo for Security Talks (May 3, 2014)
  12. ICC finds Germain Katanga guilty of war crimes and crime against humanity (March 7, 2014)
  13. Rebel Leader Bosco Ntaganda Makes First Appearence Before the ICC (March 26, 2013)
  14. Bosco Ntaganda in the International Criminal Court's custody (March 22, 2013)
  15. Warlord Bosco Ntaganda Turns Himself In at US Embassy in Rwanda (March 18, 2013)
  16. Regional Leaders Sign DR Congo Peace Deal (February 24, 2013)
  17. International Criminal Court Acquits Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui (December 18, 2012)
  18. The M23 Rebels Want to Overthrow Kabila? Nonsense (November 28, 2012)
  19. M23 Rebels Committing War Crimes (September 11, 2012)
  20. Kagame May Face War Crimes Charges at the ICC, Says US Official (July 26, 2012)
  21. US Cuts Military Aid to Rwanda Over Support to Rebels in DR Congo (July 21, 2012)
  22. DR Congo, Rwanda Sign Pact to Fight Rebels in Eastern Congo (July 15, 2012)
  23. Thomas Lubanga sentenced to 14 years (July 10, 2012)
  24. U.S. Tells Rwanda to Stop Supporting Rebels in DR Congo (July 2, 2012)
  25. Kagame Is A Problem for The U.S. and The U.K. (June 23, 2012)
  26. ICC Prosecutor Seeks 30 Years for Thomas Lubanga (June 13, 2012)
  27. Congo Army Advances On Rebels Holdout, Says Official (June 5, 2012)
  28. Rwanda Should Stop Aiding War Crimes Suspect Bosco Ntaganda: Human Rights Watch (June 4, 2012)
  29. UN Report Accuses Rwanda of Supporting Bosco Ntaganda Rebels (May 28, 2012)
  30. ICC Prosecutor Seeks New Charges Against Ntaganda, FDLR Leader (May 14, 2012)


Live TV Congo Radio en ligne Radio
Available on App Store
Get it on Google Play



Contact Us | About Us | Édition en Français | French Edition

© CongoPlanet.com. All rights reserved.