BBC Briefed on Bemba Trial

IWPR justice reporter Katy Glassborow interviewed by the BBC's Network Africa programme on start of Jean Pierre Bemba trial at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

BBC Briefed on Bemba Trial

IWPR justice reporter Katy Glassborow interviewed by the BBC's Network Africa programme on start of Jean Pierre Bemba trial at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

Wednesday, 24 November, 2010


Two and a half years after his arrest, the trial of Jean Pierre Bemba is finally due to begin today at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

As a former vice president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and leader of the main opposition party there, Jean Pierre Bemba is the highest profile prisoner held by the ICC.

The five charges against him - of crimes against humanity and war crimes - relate to events in the neighbouring Central African Republic, eight years ago.

Soldiers from his then rebel group, the MLC, had been invited by the then president - Ange Felix Patasse - to try and stop a coup attempt.

And it was while the soldiers were there that the alleged crimes happened.

Katy Glassborow has been following the process in The Hague for the Institute of War and Peace Reporting; and she has also spoken to victims in the C.A.R.

Article republished from BBC World Service.

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