Charges not confirmed
Pre-Trial Chamber I declined to confirm the charges against Callixte Mbarushimana and did not commit the case to trial. The Prosecution's appeal was dismissed. On 23 December 2011, Mr Mbarushimana was released from the ICC custody.
Next steps: The case is considered closed unless and until the Prosecutor submits new evidence.
Found guilty, on 14 March 2012, of the war crimes of enlisting and conscripting children under the age of 15 years and using them to participate actively in hostilities (child soldiers). Sentenced, on 10 July 2012, to a total of 14 years of imprisonment. Verdict and sentence confirmed by Appeals Chamber on 1 December 2014. On 19 December 2015, Mr Lubanga was transferred to a prison facility in the DRC to serve his sentence of imprisonment. On 15 March 2020, Thomas Lubanga was released after having served 14 years of imprisonment. The reparations proceedings for victims started on 7 August 2012.
Found guilty, on 7 March 2014, as an accessory to one count of a crime against humanity (murder) and four counts of war crimes (murder, attacking a civilian population, destruction of property and pillaging) committed on 24 February 2003 during the attack on the village of Bogoro, in the Ituri district of the DRC. The judgment is final, as both the Defence and Prosecution withdrew their appeals on 25 June 2014. Sentenced to a total of 12 years' imprisonment; time spent in detention at the ICC – between 18 September 2007 and 23 May 2014 – was deducted from the sentence.
Order on victim reparations : 24 March 2017
I am deeply concerned by the numerous reports of an escalation in serious violence over the past several months in Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo ("DRC"), particularly in the territories of Djugu and Mahagi.
The Congolese people will be going to the polls to partake in the presidential, legislative and provincial elections. As they do, I am concerned by the growing tensions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ("DRC") and the risk of escalating violence that could lead to the commission of grave crimes under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (the "ICC" or the "Court").
I have just concluded my visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). I had fruitful discussions with the Head of State, H.E. Mr Joseph Kabila, and the Congolese political and judicial authorities on important issues such as the situation in the country, the incidents of violence, the status of national judicial proceedings, cooperation and the activities of my Office.