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International Criminal Court to prosecute alleged perpetrator of Uganda war crimes

20 January 2015 – The International Criminal Court (ICC) is currently escorting alleged former rebel leader Dominic Ongwen – against whom it back in 2005 issued an arrest warrant for war crimes committed in Uganda – from the Central African Republic to the court's detention centre in The Hague, Netherlands.

"I strongly welcome the transfer of Dominic Ongwen to the custody of the Court, which constitutes an important success for the Rome Statute system nearly 10 years after the issuance of the warrant of arrest against him," said the President of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) to the Court's founding Rome Statute, Minister Sidiki Kab in a statement to the press.

Upon arrival, Mr. Ongwen will receive a medical visit and will appear, as soon as possible, before the Judges in the presence of a Defence Lawyer. The date of the initial appearance hearing will be announced soon.

Mr. Ongwen, who was transferred to ICC custody on January 17, 2015, was the alleged Commander of the Sinia Brigade of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). On 8 July 2005, ICC Judges issued an arrest warrant against Mr. Ongwen for three counts of crimes against humanity (murder; enslavement; inhumane acts of inflicting serious bodily injury and suffering) and four counts of war crimes (murder; cruel treatment of civilians; intentionally directing an attack against a civilian population; pillaging) allegedly committed in 2004 within the context of the situation in Uganda.

He is part of a case that is also filed against Joseph Kony, Vincent Otti and Okot Odhiambo.

During the initial appearance hearing, the Judges of Pre-Trial Chamber II will verify the identity of the suspect and the language in which he is able to follow the proceedings. Mr Ongwen will be informed of the charges against him. The Judges will also schedule a date for the opening of the confirmation of charges hearing, a preliminary step to decide whether the case will be referred to a trial or not.

"The affected communities will have the opportunity to see international justice address the horrific violence that took place in Uganda. I join the Court in its appreciation to all those States and organizations whose cooperation made possible the successful implementation of the Court's decisions," said Mr. Kaba said.

On behalf of the Court, the Registrar of the ICC, Herman von Hebel, thanked the UN and in particular the MINUSCA (the UN Mission for the Stabilization of the Central African Republic) for their support in enabling Mr. Ongwen's transfer to the ICC.

He also extended his appreciation to the authorities of the Central African Republic, Uganda, the United States, Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as to the African Union, for their instrumental roles during this operation. The Court welcomed these joint efforts as a concrete expression of the international community's commitment to the pursuit of justice.