ICC convicts former Congo VP of interfering with witnesses

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The International Criminal Court on Wednesday convicted a former Congolese vice-president and four members of his legal team of interfering with witnesses, saying the case should send a clear message that attempting to corrupt trials will not go unpunished.

The verdicts against Jean-Pierre Bemba and his legal team marked the first time the global court has found suspects guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

“No legal system in the world can accept the bribing of witnesses, the inducement of witnesses to lie or the illicit coaching of witnesses. Nor can the International Criminal Court,” Presiding Judge Bertram Schmitt said after convicting the five men.

“Today’s judgment sends the clear message that the court is not willing to allow its proceedings to be hampered or destroyed,” he added. “It sends the message that those who try to distort and interfere with the administration of justice of this court do not go unpunished.”

Bemba’s attempts to influence his trial ultimately failed. Earlier this year he was convicted and sentenced to 18 years imprisonment for commanding a militia that went on a deadly rampage in the Central African Republic in 2002-2003. He has appealed.

TOP CHEFS

P.A. firefighters show off their best cooking skills and win big

4h ago

Special day

Elderly lovebirds tie the knot during ceremony in Rosthern

8h ago

RED DRESS DAY

'More that needs to be done': P.A. to mark Red Dress Day with solemn ceremony

May 04, 2024

No date was immediately set for a sentencing hearing following Wednesday’s convictions. The maximum sentence is five years in prison and a fine.

Bemba’s defence lawyer, Melinda Taylor, said she intends to appeal.

___

This corrects an earlier error on the judge’s name.

Mike Corder, The Associated Press