FORMER CONGOLESE LEADER FACING TRIAL SHOULD REMAIN IN ICC CUSTODY – PROSECUTOR

Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo should remain in the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC) until the start of his trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity, the Court's Prosecutor stated as he appealed the decision to the former Congolese leader a temporary release.

On 14 August, the Court decided to grant Mr. Bemba's the request for interim release, albeit under conditions. The former vice-president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) faces charges for alleged crimes committed in the Central African Republic (CAR) between October 2002 and March 2003, including rape, murder and pillaging.

Mr. Bemba will be released once the conditions have been set, and it has been determined which country will take him in until his trial, a date for which has not yet been set.

Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo stated in his filing to the Appeals Chamber that Mr. Bemba is a flight risk and may harm witnesses involved in his trial, according to a news release issued by the ICC, which is based in The Hague.

Mr. Moreno-Ocampo also requested suspensive effect to the appeal, so that there is no possibility of Mr. Bemba's release while it is under consideration by the Appeals Chamber.

"Mr. Bemba is still presumed innocent but must stay in the detention centre. We will do all we can to ensure he stands trial as soon as possible and that victims see justice done," said the Prosecutor.

The ICC is an independent, permanent court that investigates and prosecutes persons accused of the most serious crimes, namely genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
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ICC Prosecutor: No Temporary Release for Jean-Pierre Bemba

International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo will today appeal the decision by Pre-Trial Chamber II to grant Jean-Pierre Bemba conditional release until his trial. The Prosecution “considers that Mr. Bemba, who is still physically in detention in The Hague , should stay in prison. The Appeals Chamber will review whether the decision to release Mr. Bemba is correct”.

On August 24, the Prosecution’s arguments will be presented.
Additionally, there is no prospect of immediate release. At this stage, States identified by the Defence as potential hosts have expressed objections or concerns about accepting Mr Bemba on their territory for this interim period.

“The judges of the ICC have confirmed that Mr. Bemba must stand trial to answer the very serious charges that have been brought against him” said the Prosecutor. “Victims and witnesses can be confident that the trial will take place in the near future and that the Court will continue to guarantee their safety”.

The International Criminal Court is an independent, permanent court that investigates and prosecutes persons accused of the most serious crimes of international concern, namely genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

ICC GRANTS TEMPORARY RELEASE FOR FORMER CONGOLESE LEADER FACING TRIAL

The International Criminal Court (ICC) today decided to grant the request of Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo for a conditional release until the start of the former Congolese leader's trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Mr. Bemba, the former vice-president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), faces charges for alleged crimes committed in the Central African Republic (CAR) between October 2002 and March 2003, including rape, murder and pillaging.

"Today, 14 August 2009, Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court decided to grant the request of Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo for interim release, albeit under conditions," the Court announced in a news release.

Mr. Bemba will be released once the conditions have been set, and it has been determined which country will take him in until his trial, added the Court, which is based in The Hague.

The ICC also announced that Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo will today appeal the decision to grant Mr. Bemba conditional release.

The Prosecution "considers that Mr. Bemba, who is still physically in detention in The Hague, should stay in prison. The Appeals Chamber will review whether the decision to release Mr. Bemba is correct."

"The judges of the ICC have confirmed that Mr. Bemba must stand trial to answer the very serious charges that have been brought against him" said Mr. Moreno-Ocampo. "Victims and witnesses can be confident that the trial will take place in the near future and that the Court will continue to guarantee their safety."

The ICC is an independent, permanent court that investigates and prosecutes persons accused of the most serious crimes, namely genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
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