DRC – Bemba at ICC

Suspected war criminal Bemba released from pre-trial detention

Article published on the 2009-08-14 Latest update 2009-08-14 11:17 TU

Jean-Pierre Bemba at the ICC, 4 July 2008.
(Photo: Reuters)

The International Criminal Court (ICC) ordered the conditional release on Friday of former Democratic Republic of Congo Vice-President Jean-Pierre Bemba, who was being held awating trial for alleged war crimes.

"The continued detention of Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo did not appear necessary ... to ensure the appearance of Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo at trial," the court said in a decision published in The Hague.

Bemba was arrested in May 2008 and delivered to the ICC, where he had been charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity stemming from his involvement in putting down a 2002 coup attempt in the neighbouring Central African Republic.

Bemba, not considered a flight risk, will be released once the court determines which country he will be allowed to stay in, and what conditions to impose on him.

The court added that there was no reason to believe Bemba would obstruct the investigation or continue to commit the crimes he is charged with.