ICC Cases Update: Gombo’s Appeal Decision and Asset Freeze Lifted
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a series of decisions related to several cases, including those against Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, Aimé Kilolo Musamba, and others. This article provides an update on these cases and highlights other significant developments at the ICC.
Gombo’s Sentence and Appeal
In March 2017, the Trial Chamber VII delivered a decision on sentence pursuant to Article 76 of the Statute, imposing a sentence on Mr. Bemba Gombo. The Prosecutor appealed this decision, along with Mr. Bemba Gombo, Mr. Fidèle Babala Wandu, and Mr. Narcisse Arido.
On March 8, 2018, the Appeals Chamber issued its judgment on these appeals, upholding the Trial Chamber’s sentence. However, the court later re-sentenced Mr. Bemba Gombo, along with Mr. Kilolo Musamba and Mr. Jean-Jacques Mangenda Kabongo, on September 17, 2018.
Kilolo’s Asset Freeze
On December 1, 2014, the ICC Single Judge decided not to lift the seizure on Mr. Kilolo’s assets, as requested by his defense team. However, in July 2015, the Prosecutor filed an addendum to a previous request seeking the lifting of the asset freeze on Mr. Kilolo’s property. The court ultimately granted this request on November 17, 2015.
Other ICC Cases
The ICC has also issued decisions and warrants in other cases, including:
- Situation in the Central African Republic II: The ICC assigned this situation to Pre-Trial Chamber II on June 18, 2014.
- Prosecutor v. Alfred Yekatom: A warrant was issued for Mr. Yekatom’s arrest on March 11, 2020.
- Prosecutor v. Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui: The ICC convicted Mr. Ngudjolo Chui of war crimes and crimes against humanity in December 2012.
- Prosecutor v. Sylvestre Mudacumura: A decision was issued on the Prosecutor’s application under Article 58 on July 13, 2012.
- Prosecutor v. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo: The ICC convicted Mr. Lubanga Dyilo of war crimes in March 2012.
These decisions and warrants demonstrate the ICC’s ongoing efforts to bring perpetrators of international crimes to justice and to uphold the principles of accountability and human rights protection.