Posts Tagged ‘Joseph Keta’


May 5, 2010

Lubanga Defense Dwells On ‘Stolen Identities’ of Former UPC Soldiers

By Wairagala Wakabi

The defense for Congolese war crimes accused, Thomas Lubanga, has today continued to dwell on the purported false identity of an individual who is participating in the trial under the dual status of a victim and a witness. In January this year, a witness appeared in court claiming to be Dieudonné Tonyfwa Urochi, allegedly a…

April 30, 2010

Two Former UPC Soldiers Testify, Victims’ Lawyer Questions Them

By Wairagala Wakabi

The Lubanga trial recommenced on Wednesday after a three week hiatus with the defense calling two witnesses, both of whom said they were former soldiers in the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC), the group that prosecutors at the International Criminal Court allege was led by Thomas Lubanga. According to the defense, the testimony of both…

April 29, 2010

Victims’ Lawyer Questions Two New Lubanga Witnesses

By Wairagala Wakabi

Lawyers for victims participating in the war crimes trial of former Congolese rebel leader Thomas Lubanga have today questioned two defense witnesses who testified via video link from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to the defense, the testimony of both witnesses was intended to discredit evidence given by one of three participating victims…

January 25, 2010

Two Victims Called Back At Defense’s Bidding

By Wairagala Wakabi

Two victims participating in the Thomas Lubanga trial who had concluded giving their evidence have been called back to the witness box for more questioning at the bidding of the defense team. The prosecution and the legal representatives of the victims did not object to the request by the defense.   During today’s hearing, Judge Adrian…

January 21, 2010

Another Victim Narrates His Abduction

By Wairagala Wakabi

Another former child soldier who is participating as a victim in the trial of former Congolese militia leader Thomas Lubanga today testified about his conscription into the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC), and the roles he played as a member of the militia group. He said UPC fighters abducted him while he was returning home…

January 19, 2010

Defense Questions Victim About His Abduction

By Wairagala Wakabi

In their continuing cross-examination of a former child soldier who is the second victim to appear at the trial, Thomas Lubanga’s defense has dwelt on the circumstances surrounding his capture by Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC) militiamen, and the roles he played while he was with the group. The punishments which the victim said were…

January 16, 2010

Why Are Victims Testifying Now?

By Tracey Gurd

Horrific stories of murder, sexual slavery and beatings emerged in the courtroom this week as victim participants took the witness stand in the trial of Congolese militia leader, Thomas Lubanga, at the International Criminal Court.  A schoolmaster told of his suffering allegedly at the hands of the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC) militia who hit…

January 15, 2010

Lubanga Trial: Victims Recount UPC Brutality, Seek Reparations

By Wairagala Wakabi

The trial of Congolese war crimes accused Thomas Lubanga this week focused on the atrocities which fighters of the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC) meted out on civilians and child soldiers, and also saw one of the participating victims who gave evidence asking for reparations. According to the testimony of two participating victims, UPC militiamen…

January 14, 2010

Victim: I Saw My Friends Die Like Flies

By Wairagala Wakabi

A former child soldier on Thursday recalled how he was abducted by militiamen belonging to the group which Thomas Lubanga allegedly led, got tortured at a training camp, and watched his friends get killed in battle “like flies”. The former child soldier was the second participating victim to give evidence at the Lubanga trial. He…

January 12, 2010

Victim Tells Court His Village Wants Reparations

By Wairagala Wakabi

The first participating victim to take the witness stand in the trial of former Congolese militia leader Thomas Lubanga told the court on Tuesday that the reason he was testifying was to inform the world about the crimes committed against his people by a militia group Lubanga is alleged to have led, and to ask…