This week the International Criminal Court has appeared in a variety of news stories. Recently ICC judges approved the Prosecutor's application to open an official investigation into the Ivory Coast post-election violence that occurred in late 2010. The judges provided Ocampo with instructions to investigate crimes committed between 2002-2010, and to report back with his findings in a month's time. Reportedly, 3000 people were killed in the violence and at least 100 individuals were raped. In the Kenya case, the second set of ICC confirmation of charges hearings continue at the Hague. Last week we mentioned that suspect Uhuru Kenyatta took the witness stand, as depicted in the following video.This week former police chief Hussien Ali has begun his defense. The strategy taken by his counsel appears to primarily consist of discrediting the prosecution's witnesses. More details regarding his defense are discussed below.
In the ongoing Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo trial, reportedly thousands more victims have applied to the ICC to take part in the trial beyond the 1,600 who are already participating. The ICC is currently processing the applications. Reportedly Sierra Leone has asked the ICC to remain "on notice" regarding any violence that occurs during next year's presidential election. Sierra Leone has not officially applied to the ICC, but have asked the Court to monitor the events as they unfold. Photo credit: Christian Science Monitor.
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