ICC Judges Confirm Charges Against Ugandan Rebel Leader Joseph Kony
Judges at the International Criminal Court have confirmed charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity against Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony, who is still at large. The decision was made at The Hague, Netherlands.
A panel of three judges stated there were “substantial grounds” to believe Kony is responsible for 29 counts, including murder, sexual enslavement, and rape, during his leadership of the brutal Lord’s Resistance Army, which terrorized northern Uganda.
“The social and cultural fabric of Northern Uganda has been torn apart and it is still struggling to rebuild itself,” said deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang during his opening statements last month.
The hearing marked the first time the International Criminal Court conducted a session in the absence of a defendant. For the trial to advance, Kony must be taken into ICC custody.
Kony gained worldwide notoriety in 2012 after a video detailing his crimes spread rapidly online. Despite global awareness and international operations to locate him, he continues to evade capture.
“The empty chair impacted the preparation of the defense,” said court-appointed lawyer Peter Haynes, referring to the absence of Kony from the courtroom and claiming the process undermined his client’s fair trial rights.
Author’s summary:
The ICC confirmed 29 war crimes charges against fugitive Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony, marking its first-ever in absentia hearing as he remains on the run.