Posts Tagged ‘witness protection’


May 26, 2009

Judge Defends Closed Sessions

By Wairagala Wakabi

Most of Tuesday’s proceedings were closed to the public as Thomas Lubanga’s defense team cross-examined last week’s witness, a former officer in the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC) militia. The closings prompted Judge Adrian Fulford to apologize for what he said might be considered “extremely irritating” moves by the court for public observers of the…

May 15, 2009

Judge: Lights Needed for Closed Sessions

By Wairagala Wakabi

Judge Adrian Fulford on Friday directed court officers to install a signal light system for closed sessions in order to better protect witnesses. The directive came during the continuing testimony of a former junior commander in the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC) militia, who briefly provided information in a public session that was supposed to…

April 21, 2009

Court Focuses on Witness Protection

By Wairagala Wakabi

As the International Criminal Court (ICC) prepares to resume the trial of accused Congolese militia leader Thomas Lubanga in early May, witness protection has emerged as a key concern. This was immediately apparent when the prosecution’s first witness recanted his story and told the court that he had been coached on what to say by…