The International Criminal Court (ICC) is set to open hearings against Ugandan fugitive and war lord, Joseph Kony, nearly 20 years after issuing the first arrest warrant for him.
Joseph Kony founded Ugandan rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a militia that terrorized northern Uganda and neighboring countries since the late 1990s.
Kony faces 12 counts of crimes against humanity including murder, sexual enslavement and rape, and 21 counts of war crimes including enlistment of child soldiers and cruel treatment of civilians.
The ICC’s hearings will span three days and will allow prosecutors to outline their case against Kony in court.
“The purpose of the confirmation of charges hearing is to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the person committed each of the crimes charged. If the charges are confirmed, the case can only proceed to trial if the accused is present before the Trial Chamber,” the ICC said in a statement.
This will be the first ever hearing in absentia by the court and is seen as a test case for future hearings.
Joseph Kony remains at large since an arrest warrant was issued for him in 2005. The United States has offered $5million reward for information that will lead to his arrest.
