On 1 June 2016, Trial Chamber VIII of the International Criminal Court (ICC) scheduled the opening of the trial in the case The Prosecutor v. Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi for 22 August 2016.
This date was set to ensure that the parties have a reasonable opportunity to secure the testimony of their witnesses and to ensure the disclosure of outstanding materials. The Chamber also noted the parties’ submissions that the trial is only estimated to last a few days, due to the fact Mr Al Mahdi expressed his wish to plead guilty, and that the Chamber will aim to complete the trial in a single week.
The trial is conducted by Trial Chamber VIII, composed of Judge Raul C. Pangalangan, Presiding Judge, Judge Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua, and Judge Bertram Schmitt.
