DRC / Central Africa: The ICC accepts the “release” of Jean-Pierre Bemba

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has declared Friday, supportive, to “release” Jean-Pierre Bemba, former Deputy vice- President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The ICC believes that there is no risk that the accused impedes the investigation or to commit the same crimes while waiting the start of his trial in freedom. It remains now to find a country willing to accept him until his trial.In the six countries, including Europe, supposed to host, in addition to South Africa, four have already refused their hospitality to Jean-Pierre Bemba. This is not the only obstacle, the prosecutor of the ICC would, in effect, decided to challenge the parole decision to the Court of Appeal.

 
Between 7 and 14 September that the ICC will hold hearings to hear comments from the States likely to accommodate the accused, namely Belgium, France, Portugal, South Africa,Italy and Germany, according to this source.

His lawyer, Aime Kilolo, who had demanded the release of Mr. Bemba at a hearing before the ICC on 29 June, has indicated that the accused has properties and bank accounts in Belgium, where his children attend school and has “significant social ties in France.

Mr Bemba is accused of murder, rape and looting in particular, war crimes and crimes against humanity, as the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. The complainant, aged 46, had appeared before the ICC from 12 to 15 January during hearings on confirmation of charges of atrocities committed in Central Africa, between October 2002 and March 2003 by armed men from his party the Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC).

Jean-Pierre Bemba, who had left the DRC in April 2007 after losing the 2006 presidential elections to Joseph Kabila face, was arrested in May 2008 in Brussels. He was transferred and placed in custody in The Hague where the ICC headquarters in early July