Rwanda News Agency/Agence Rwandaise d'Information (Kigali)
18 March 2008
Kigali — The war crimes trail by the International Criminal Court of DR Congo militia leader has been moved back to June after prosecution refused to give evidence to the defense, RNA reports.
The trail of former Hema tribal militia leader from North Western DRC - Thomas Lubanga Dyilo had been scheduled to start at the end of this month but will now begin on June 23, the Court announced last week.
The postponement reportedly arises from prosecutorial delay in providing evidence to defense council until the security of witnesses could be assured.
The accused - who founded the Union of Congolese Patriots armed group with support of the Ugandan army, is alleged to have forced hundreds of children to serve as soldiers during military operations in the Ituri region of the Congo from July of 2002 through December of 2003.
Early this month, Mr. Lubanga lead defence counsel Jean Flamme quit the case citing health reasons. Court had to suspend the trail to allow Mr. Lubanga get another Counsel. Now the new team has to be familiarized with the case before it continues.
The Lubanga trail has dragged on since 2003 when he was arrested with submission after another from different groups - large campaign organisations.
Two other Congolese suspected of war crimes, Germain Katanga and Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui have also been surrendered to the Court for prosecution. Their trial dates have not been set. (End)
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