Former Congolese rebel warlord and vice-president Jean-Pierre Bemba appeared before the global war crimes court on Friday charged with leading a campaign of rape and torture. He is the highest-profile suspect to date brought before the world's first permanent war crimes court, set up in 2002. It was his first appearance before the court.The court will hold a hearing on Nov. 4 to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to start a trial of Bemba, who was transferred to the International Criminal Court's custody on Thursday.
| November? Carla del Ponte must be waiting in the wings. And aren't they supposed to figure out whether they have 'sufficient evidence' before they arrest him? |
He confirmed to the court that he had been informed of the charges against him but was not asked to enter a plea.
The arrival in The Hague of Bemba, who was defeated by Joseph Kabila in Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) 2006 presidential election, was seen as a boost to the court after judges ordered the release of its first suspect on Wednesday.
Congolese militia leader Thomas Lubanga remains in custody pending a prosecution appeal, but judges have put his trial on hold as his defence cannot view some evidence that the United Nations wants to keep confidential to protect its sources.