ICC confirms war crimes charges against fugitive warlord Joseph Kony
The ICC has confirmed war crimes charges against Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony. While the international court's ruling will have little practical effect as Kony has been a fugitive for decades, it is the first time the court has acted in the absence of a suspect.
The Hague (dpa) – The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday confirmed all 39 charges brought by its prosecutors against Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony, founder of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA).
Kony, who remains at large, has been charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in northern Uganda between mid-2002 and the end of 2005. The charges include murder, rape, sexual enslavement and the conscription of child soldiers.
First time that ICC acts on fugitive from justice
The confirmation is the first time that ICC judges have acted in the absence of the accused. It noted that its trials could not be held in the suspect's absence, according to the court's founding treaty, the Rome Statute.
The ICC issued an arrest warrant against Kony more than 20 years ago. He has since been sought by countries, international police, troops from African countries and the US military. A 2012 media campaign was also unsuccessful.
The LRA conducted a reign of terror in Uganda for 20 years from the early 1980s with tens of thousands of victims. It is no longer seen as a major security risk in Uganda. Kony is believed to be around 64 years of age.