Ntaganda pleads not guilty to crimes against humanity

by admin
Mar 25, 2013
Bosco Ntaganda, a Congolese war crimes suspect has plead not guilty to all charges at the International Criminal Court on Tuesday.

His appearance at The Hague occured after Ntaganda, also known as "The Terminator", handed himself over to the US Embassy in Kigali, Rwanda. He faces 10 crimes of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including ranging from murder and rape to the use of child soldiers.

Speaking at the ICC, Ntaganda said,
"My name is Bosco Ntaganda, I only have the two names, the names given to me by my parents... As you know, I was a soldier in the Congo... I was born in Rwanda but I grew up in the Congo. I am Congolese."

"I was informed of these crimes but I plead not guilty."
The presiding judge Ekaterina Trendafilova then cut Ntaganda off, stating he will 'have ample opportunities to make your point as thoroughly and necessary to the chamber'.

Geraldine Mattioli-Zeltner of Human Rights Watch, commented on his appearance at the court, saying,
"Ntaganda's appearance at the ICC after years as a fugitive offers victims of horrific crimes a real hope of seeing justice".

"Ntaganda's detention in The Hague shows that no one is above the law."

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