The defence for accused war criminal Jean-Pierre Bemba have opened their case before the International Criminal Court earlier on Tuesday, where he faces charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Bemba, the former Vice President of the DR Congo, faces three counts of war crimes and two of crimes against humanity, for alleged atrocities committed by troops of the Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC), after he deployed them into the Central African Republic in 2002 and 2003.
Prosecutors allege that Bemba had full control and command over his troops, a claim which he denies, instead stating Central African Republic generals had responsibility over the MLC.
Bemba’s trail started in November 2010 after being held in custody for 4 years. His countryman Thomas Lubanga was the first person to be convicted by the ICC, in a trial that concluded earlier this year.
Bemba, the former Vice President of the DR Congo, faces three counts of war crimes and two of crimes against humanity, for alleged atrocities committed by troops of the Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC), after he deployed them into the Central African Republic in 2002 and 2003.
Prosecutors allege that Bemba had full control and command over his troops, a claim which he denies, instead stating Central African Republic generals had responsibility over the MLC.
Bemba’s trail started in November 2010 after being held in custody for 4 years. His countryman Thomas Lubanga was the first person to be convicted by the ICC, in a trial that concluded earlier this year.
