Bemba case: Trial Chamber III to deliver its verdict on 21 March 2016 in open Court
Trial Chamber III of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued on February 2 an order scheduling the hearing to deliver the verdict in the case The Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo on Monday 21 March 2016, at 14:00 (The Hague local time), in open session. The Chamber is composed of Judges Sylvia Steiner (Brazil), presiding, Joyce Aluoch (Kenya) and Kuniko Ozaki (Japan).
The session will be transmitted live through the ICC website.
The verdict will be read out in public and will either acquit or convict the accused. The accused before the ICC is presumed innocent. While the Prosecution must prove the guilt of the accused, the Trial Chamber will convict the accused only if it is satisfied that the charges have been proven beyond reasonable doubt.
The three judges ensure the fairness of the trial and that the rights of both parties and of the victims are respected. In response to the verdict, the various parties will be able to appeal the decision before the ICC’s Appeals Chamber.
The trial in the Bemba case started on 22 November 2010 and the submission of evidence in the case was closed on 7 April 2014. Mr Bemba is allegedly criminally responsible, as a military commander, for two counts of crimes against humanity (murder and rape) and three counts of war crimes (murder, rape and pillaging) allegedly committed in the context of the situation in Central African Republic in 2002-2003.
Information: www.icc-cpi.int
