MAURITANIA
Mauritania extradites Senussi: On Wednesday, Mauritania extradited to his country Libya’s former intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senussi, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity. He was arrested on March 17, 2012 upon his arrival at Nouakchott airport in Mauritania after fleeing Libya following the last year’s uprising in his country. Libya wants to try him for crimes allegedly committed during his time as Muammar Gaddafi's right-hand man. Senoussi is also wanted by France, for his alleged role in the 1989 downing of a plane, carrying 170 people from Brazzaville to Paris.
ICC
Presentation of defence case for Bemba continues: Presentation of defence case for former Congolese vice-president Jean-Pierre Bemba continued on Monday with testimony of another expert witness, Octave Dioba. The Gabonese academic claimed that the defendant’s militia had a legitimate right to intervene in the Central African Republic. But in cross-examination, the prosecution challenged his qualification as an expert in the geopolitics of armed conflict in central Africa. Bemba is on trial for crimes against humanity, including murder and rape, committed by his forces in the CAR between October 2002 and March 2003.
ICTR
Hocking gives position on archives destination: The Registrar of the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals John Hocking Tuesday said final destination of the ICTR archives remained in the hands of the United Nations Security Council. Rwanda had been claiming it has a natural right to host the ICTR archives after the Tribunal closes.
NEXT WEEK
ICC
Bemba Defence hearing continues: Defence hearing in the case of Jean Piere-Bemba is expected to continue on Monday (September 10). Bemba, the leader of the Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC), is charged with crimes against humanity and crimes of war mainly for his command responsibility in crimes committed by his troops in Central African Republic between 2002 and 2003.
FK/ER