ICC Acquits Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui of the DRC, Defendant in ICC's Second Trial, Due to Evidence

On December 18, 2012 Trial Chamber II of the ICC acquitted Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui, a defendant in the Court's second case, because it found that the Office of the Prosecutor had not proved his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Accordingly, the Trial Chamber has ordered the release of Ngudjolo Chui but he will continue to be held pending a decision on the request of the Prosecutor for an appeal. This verdict affirms the careful deliberations and consideration of the Court's judges for the evidence as well as their commitment to ensuring due process for defendants. The acquittal reminds us that the judges are an effective check on the Prosecutor and will not convict all defendants who are charged by the Court.

Ngudjolo Chui was charged with nine counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, sexual slavery, inhuman treatment, the use child soldiers in hostilities, and unlawful attacks against civilians. He and Germain Katanga were joined in a single case for trial which began on November 24, 2009. The Trial Chamber recently severed the cases. The judges have yet to decide on the guilt or innocence of Katanga.

The verdict is currently available in French. Once an English version is available, we will post it to our website.