Abd-Al-Rahman trial opens April 5, 2022 – Practical information
On 5 April 2022 at 9:30 (The Hague local time), the trial in the case The Prosecutor v. Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman (“Ali Kushayb”) will open before Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “Court”) for 31 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Darfur, Sudan. Trial Chamber I is composed of Judge Joanna Korner, Presiding Judge, Judge Reine Alapini-Gansou and Judge Althea Violet Alexis-Windsor.
The hearings are scheduled from 5 April 2022 onwards. The Chamber will hear the Prosecution’s opening statement first, followed by a short unsworn statement by the accused and a short remark presented by the Legal Representatives of Victims (“LRV”). The Prosecution will be given six hours to present its opening statements; followed by the first Prosecution witness, an expert scheduled to start on 6 April 2022.
Background
Mr Abd-Al-Rahman was transferred to the ICC’s custody on 9 June 2020, after surrendering himself voluntarily in the Central African Republic. His initial appearance before the ICC took place on 15 June 2020. The confirmation of charges hearing was held before Pre-Trial Chamber II from 24 to 26 May 2021. On 9 July 2021, Pre-Trial Chamber II unanimously, issued a decision confirming all the charges brought by the Prosecutor against Mr Abd-Al-Rahman and committed him to trial before a Trial Chamber. The 31 charges include intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population as such, as a war crime; murder as a crime against humanity and as a war crime; pillaging as a war crime; destruction of the property of an adversary as a war crime; other inhumane acts as a crime against humanity; outrages upon personal dignity as a war crime; rape as a crime against humanity and a war crime; forcible transfer as a crime against humanity; persecution as a crime against humanity; torture as a crime against humanity and a war crime; cruel treatment as a war crime; attempted murder as a crime against humanity and a war crime. Mr Abd-Al-Rahman is in ICC custody.
Source: africaneditors.com
