The Hague — In a press release issued on October 26, Trial Chamber IV of the International Criminial Court (ICC) in the Hague, rejected a "request for a temporary stay of procedures" in the Banda and Jerbo case.

The request was submitted by the defense on January 6 of the current year to cancel temporary procedures of the prosecutor against Abdullah Banda and Saleh Jerbo.

The defense argued that the accused could not receive a fair trial due to inadequate facilities to investigate. In addition, the defense also claimed the need of access to important documents of regional and international governments and organizations to proceed.

The chamber asked all parties involved in the judicial proceedings to provide a written response reflecting their vision on the crimes allegedly committed by Abdullah Banda, Saleh Jerbo and others at the UNAMID site in Haskanita on September 29 of the year 2007. The responses should be submitted before the start of the trial.