With the completion yesterday of testimony by the last prosecution witness in the trial of Jean-Pierre Bemba, International Criminal Court (ICC) judges have called a status conference to schedule the hearing of evidence from selected victims participating in the trial and the start of the defense case. Yesterday, ‘Witness 36’ completed his testimony, exactly 16 ... Continue reading
March
19
2012
Fifth Day of Closed Session in Bemba Trial
Today, the 40th witness called by the prosecution in the trial of Jean-Pierre Bemba continued to testify before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in closed session. Going by the court-given name ‘Witness 36,’ he commenced his testimony last Tuesday and is testifying via video link from the Democratic Republic of Congo. ‘Witness 36′ is a ... Continue reading
Another 457 victims have been granted permission to participate in the trial of Jean-Pierre Bemba, the former Vice President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo charged over rapes, murders, and pillaging allegedly committed by his soldiers. In their March 9 decision, trial judges rejected 12 applications and ordered the court’s Registry to submit to the Chamber a ... Continue reading
March
15
2012
Insider Witness in Third Day of Closed Session
The trial of Jean-Pierre Bemba today continued in closed session for the third day, as the last prosecution witness – a former insider in the group led by the accused – testified remotely via video link from Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. ‘Witness 36′ is the last of the former insiders ... Continue reading
March
14
2012
Bemba Trial Continues in Closed Session
A former insider in the Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC), who is the last prosecution witness in the trial of Jean-Pierre Bemba, on Wednesday continued giving testimony exclusively in closed session. He testified via video link from the Congolese capital Kinshasa. Initially scheduled to start testifying nearly a month ago, ‘Witness 36’ had ... Continue reading
The last prosecution witness in the trial of former Congolese vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba at the International Criminal Court (ICC) today took the witness stand, but judges said he would give all evidence in closed session. Going by the pseudonym ‘Witness 36,’ this individual is testifying via video link from the Congolese capital Kinshasa. He ... Continue reading
March
9
2012
Five Victims to Give Evidence in Bemba Trial
International Criminal Court (ICC) judges have authorized five victims to provide evidence in the trial of Jean-Pierre Bemba. Two of the victims shall provide oral testimony in court, while three will express their views in person, through means yet to be determined by judges. Prosecutors have suggested that victims authorized to present their views and ... Continue reading
International Criminal Court (ICC) judges have ordered prosecutors to produce their last witness in the trial of Congolese opposition leader Jean-Pierre Bemba. They directed that this witness, who has hitherto failed to commence testimony due to medical reasons, should start giving his evidence on March 13, 2012. Judges Sylvia Steiner, Joyce Aluoch, and Kuniko Ozaki ... Continue reading
February
28
2012
Scheduling Difficulties Stall Bemba Trial
This week, the trial of Jean-Pierre Bemba at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has stalled with the postponement of a status conference and further delay in the start of the testimony of the last witness to be called by the prosecution. A date for resumption of hearings has not been fixed. A status conference at which ... Continue reading
February
28
2012
Bemba’s Lead Counsel Nkwebe Liriss Dies
Nkwebe Liriss, the lead counsel of Jean-Pierre Bemba’s defense team, has passed away in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to a statement issued today by the International Criminal Court (ICC). “Mr. Nkwebe Liriss’s death is an enormous loss to the court. His sharp legal acumen and dedication made him a highly accomplished jurist. ... Continue reading
