Commencement of the trial of Jean-Pierre Bemba postponed until 14 July, 2010

Situation: Central African Republic 

Case: The Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo

Trial Chamber III of the International Criminal Court (ICC) decided today to postpone the opening of the trial, initially scheduled for 5 July, in the case The Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo to Wednesday 14 July, 2010 at 2.30 p.m. (The Hague local time). The postponement is due to administrative reasons, in particular the likely change in the composition of the Bench, and to facilitate necessary preparation for the commencement of the trial.

The Chamber will hold hearings on 14 and 15 July, 2010, to hear the opening speeches of the parties and participants and to address any necessary trial and case-management issues. The hearings will resume on 30 August, 2010, after the judicial recess.

Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo is alleged to be criminally responsible for having effectively acted as a military commander within the meaning of article 28(a) of the Rome Statute for two crimes against humanity (murder and rape) and three war crimes (murder, rape and pillaging) allegedly committed on the territory of the Central African Republic during the period approximately between 26 October, 2002 and 15 March, 2003.

After his arrest by the Belgian authorities in accordance with a warrant of arrest issued by the Pre-Trial Chamber of the ICC, he was transferred to the Court on 3 July, 2008. He is currently being detained at the ICC Detention Centre in The Hague.

Order postponing the commencement of the trial - English

For further information, please contact Ms Sonia Robla, Chief of the Public Information and Documentation Section at +31 (0)70 515 8089 or (mobile) +31 (0)6 46 44 87 26; or at [email protected].