27.03.12 - ICC/BEMBA - DEFENCE REQUESTS TWO YEARS TO PRESENT BEMBA’S CASE

27 March 2012 By

The Hague, March 27, 2012 (FH) - Jean-Pierre Bemba’s lawyers today told International Criminal Court (ICC) judges that his defense case would last two years. They also gave August 6 as the likely date when the first defense witness would testify.

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“Let’s be honest, let’s be realistic, we are looking at a period as long as two years”, British Defence counsel Peter Haynes said, speaking at a status conference.

Criticizing Prosecution witnesses for their “second hand and partial” knowledge , he added that, at least, “ there will be witnesses with direct knowledge of the operations in Central African Republic”.

Judges are expected to render a decision on the matter this week.

The Congolese senator faces charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Central African Republic in 2002 and 2003. His trial opened in November 2010.

SM/ER/GF