After a series of delays, the first trial ever in the history of the International Criminal Court, the case of Mr. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, has started before Trial Chamber I.
On January 26 the ICC Prosecutor as well as the legal representatives of victims in the DRC made their opening statements before the Chamber followed by the Defence on January 27.
The Prosecutor’s opening statement (in English) can be viewed here:
Video summaries of the Defence Counsel’s opening statements (in French) can be viewed here:
The current case comes as a result of the investigation by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) into the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the alleged crimes committed in the country since 1 July 2002. The Prosecutor requested an arrest warrant against Mr Lubanga on 12 January 2006, which was approved by Pre-Trial Chamber I on 10th February. Mr Lubanga was arrested by the ICC on 17th March and made his initial appearance before the Court on 20 March 2006. The charges against Mr. Lubanga were confirmed on 29 January 2007, almost a year after his initial appearance. Thomas Lubanga is represented by counsel Maitre Catherine Mabille and co-counsel Jean-Marie Biju-Duval.
Click here for further background information about the Lubanga case.