8.03.13 – ICC/SUDAN – TRIAL DATE FOR BANDA AND JERBO IN 2014

Arusha, March 8,  2013 (FH) – The International Criminal Court has set May 5 next year as the start date for the trial of two former Sudanese rebel commanders, Abdallah Banda and Saleh Jerbo. The two are accused of war crimes in Darfur.

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In setting the date on Wednesday, the judges said time was needed to put all the necessary measures in place. These include witness protection and training for Zaghawa interpreters, as well as practical arrangements to allow the accused to stay in The Netherlands during their trial.

Banda and Jerbo are charged in connection with an attack on the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) peacekeeping mission at Haskanita on September 29, 2007.

They have so far complied voluntarily with Court summons and no arrest warrants have been issued for them.

This case is the fifth concerning Darfur, which was referred to the ICC by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1593 on March 31, 2005. Other cases involve Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir and four other individuals.

ER/JC