First Verdict from International Criminal Court Expected in March
The International Criminal Court is expected to deliver its first verdict next month, 10 years after its creation, the Associated Press reports.
The defendant, Thomas Lubanga, is a Congolese militia leader charged with recruiting child soldiers. Lubanga, who is accused of leading the Union of Congolese Patriots and its armed wing, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In a press release issued today, the ICC stated that the verdict will be delivered March 14. Lubanga was indicted in 2006, and his first trial began in 2008. The case wrapped up in August 2011 after numerous evidence issues.
The ICC, established in 2002, is a court of last resort to prosecute crimes involving war and humanity from countries that can’t or won’t pursue the prosecutions.
