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Congo ex-leader sent to The Hague | Congo ex-leader sent to The Hague |
(about 17 hours later) | |
The ex-vice-president of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been extradited to The Hague to face trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity. | The ex-vice-president of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been extradited to The Hague to face trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity. |
Jean-Pierre Bemba, who fled DR Congo last year, was detained in Belgium in May. He will face trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC). | Jean-Pierre Bemba, who fled DR Congo last year, was detained in Belgium in May. He will face trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC). |
Mr Bemba is accused over atrocities allegedly committed by his forces in the Central African Republic in 2002. | Mr Bemba is accused over atrocities allegedly committed by his forces in the Central African Republic in 2002. |
The one-time rebel leader has always denied the charges against him. | The one-time rebel leader has always denied the charges against him. |
Mr Bemba went into exile after being accused of high treason in his home country for refusing to disarm his militia after his defeat in presidential elections in 2006. | Mr Bemba went into exile after being accused of high treason in his home country for refusing to disarm his militia after his defeat in presidential elections in 2006. |
"Jean-Pierre Bemba was a vice-president and is a senator," said ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo. | |
"But he does not have immunity before the ICC, and will face justice." | "But he does not have immunity before the ICC, and will face justice." |
Coup attempt | Coup attempt |
The successful businessman was one of four vice-presidents in a transitional government in the war-torn African nation between 2003 and 2006. | The successful businessman was one of four vice-presidents in a transitional government in the war-torn African nation between 2003 and 2006. |
He was leader of the rebel group, the Movement for the Liberation of Congo, which later became a political party. | He was leader of the rebel group, the Movement for the Liberation of Congo, which later became a political party. |
In 2002, his group was asked by the former president of the Central African Republic, Ange-Felix Patasse, to help put down a coup attempt. | In 2002, his group was asked by the former president of the Central African Republic, Ange-Felix Patasse, to help put down a coup attempt. |
While there, Mr Bemba's forces were accused of widespread rights abuses. | While there, Mr Bemba's forces were accused of widespread rights abuses. |
After Mr Patasse was ousted the following year, his successor pressed charges against Mr Bemba of rape and murder. | After Mr Patasse was ousted the following year, his successor pressed charges against Mr Bemba of rape and murder. |
The case was referred to the ICC in The Hague, which announced his arrest on 24 May. | The case was referred to the ICC in The Hague, which announced his arrest on 24 May. |
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