ICC expected to pronounce verdict on former Congolese Vice President on rape and murder charges

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is expected to deliver its verdict  today against former Congolese Vice-President, Jean Pierre Bemba, who is facing charges of rape, murder and pillaging.

The atrocities were allegedly committed by a militia group under his command in the Central African Republic. 

It is the first case before the ICC to mainly focus on sexual violence and rape as weapons of war. 

Throughout the trial, Prosecutors at the ICC have sought to demonstrate that as a military Commander, Mr. Bemba was in charge of his forces but did nothing to stop them from committing the atrocities in question. 

The militia group known as the Congolese Liberation Movement had gone to the neighbouring Central Africa Republic in 2002 to help President Ange Felix Patasse put down an attempted coup.

Mr Bemba's lawyers have argued that once the troops had crossed the border they were no longer under his command.


BBC