The violence in the Ituri region of the Democratic Republic of Congo went beyond economics and ethnicity, historian Gerard Prunier told the court on Friday in the continuing trial of accused militia leader Thomas Lubanga. Responding to a question from Judge Elizabeth Odio Benito, Prunier said the conflict began as an economic one, but quickly…
Accused militia leader Thomas Lubanga looked on today as a former judge from the Ituri region of the Democratic Republic of Congo explained the financial schemes of Lubanga’s Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC) from 2003 to 2005. The witness identified himself as Jacque Kbaselli Nbemzeli, former president of the Tribunal de Grand Instance du Bunia.…
The prosecution continued to build its case against accused Congolese militia leader Thomas Lubanga this week by presenting witnesses who delivered dramatic and revealing insight into militia life. The prosecution’s eighth witness, whose identity was concealed, described how he became a soldier at the age of 10, after hearing gunshots and seeing people running on…
During several brief open court sessions on Friday, the defense for Thomas Lubanga attempted to discredit a witness who provided details of his time as a child soldier and guard in Lubanga’s militia. The witness confirmed earlier testimony that he was a guard at Lubanga’s residence, saying he replaced a guard who accompanied another commander…
A former child soldier in the militia of Thomas Lubanga described being beaten, whipped, and forced to stare at the sun as punishment for disobeying orders, he told the court on Thursday. As a guard in the militia of Lubanga’s Union of Congolese Patriots, the witness said he followed his commander – referred to as…
Abducted girls who became pregnant in the camps of Thomas Lubanga’s militia either had abortions or were chased away, according to a witness who said he was former militia soldier. Following a closed session, the International Criminal Court resumed public testimony on Wednesday with Judge Elizabeth Odio Benito asking the witness to clarify his statements…
Defense lawyers in the trial of accused militia leader Thomas Lubanga on Tuesday questioned conflicting testimonies by a witness who said he was abducted and turned into a child soldier. The witness, who was not identified, told the International Criminal Court the discrepancies were because he was afraid to tell the truth to investigators when…
A former soldier in Thomas Lubanga’s militia said he witnessed the execution of a young recruit who attempted to flee militia training. He also told the International Criminal Court that young female recruits could not refuse to have sex with militia commanders. While the training was strenuous and those who failed to keep up were…
Two former child soldiers in Thomas Lubanga’s militia this week told the International Criminal Court about the first time they killed in battle and how they are haunted by the memories. Testifying in Swahili, both said fear of being shot by their commanders stopped them from fleeing the gruesome conditions of their training and at…
A former child soldier told prosecutors this week that commanders in defendant Thomas Lubanga’s militia ordered the recruits to rape. “Did you rape girls?” Prosecutor Manoj Sachdeva asked the unnamed witness. “Yes, I raped once,” the witness said, explaining that the rape occurred after a battle against ethnic Lendu fighters in the Ituri village of…
Thomas Lubanga on trial at the International Criminal Court. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo is the first person to be tried by the International Criminal Court. A former rebel leader in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lubanga is accused of conscripting, enlisting, and using child soldiers. More
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