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DR Congo ex-warlord Jean-Pierre Bemba faces ICC verdict Jean-Pierre Bemba: DR Congo ex-warlord guilty of war crimes
(about 1 hour later)
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is due to deliver its verdict in the trial of the Democratic Republic of Congo's ex-Vice-President Jean-Pierre Bemba, who was once a rebel leader. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has found former Congolese rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba guilty of war crimes in a trial at the Hague.
Mr Bemba is accused of failing to stop his rebels from killing and raping people in neighbouring Central African Republic (CAR) in 2002 and 2003. Mr Bemba was accused of failing to stop his rebels from killing and raping people in neighbouring Central African Republic (CAR) in 2002 and 2003.
He had sent more than 1,000 fighters to help put down an attempted coup.He had sent more than 1,000 fighters to help put down an attempted coup.
Mr Bemba has pleaded not guilty, saying he had no control over his troops. Mr Bemba, once Vice-President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, will remain in custody until sentencing.
The BBC's Anna Holligan in The Hague says it is the first time the court is focusing on sexual violence as a weapon of war. It is the first time the court has focussed on sexual violence as a weapon of war.
Our correspondent says a conviction against the former warlord would mark an important milestone in the push by human rights organisations for such crimes to be punished.
It is alleged that for a period of five months Mr Bemba's Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC) rebel fighters killed hundred of civilians, raped women and looted.It is alleged that for a period of five months Mr Bemba's Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC) rebel fighters killed hundred of civilians, raped women and looted.
His lawyers have argued that once the troops had crossed the border they were no longer under his command, but under the then CAR President Ange-Felix Patasse. His lawyers argued that once the troops had crossed the border they were no longer under his command, but under the then CAR President Ange-Felix Patasse.
If acquitted, Mr Bemba will be released on bail, as he and four associates are on trial in a separate case in which they are accused of bribing witnesses in the main trial.
Mr Bemba led the MLC during DR Congo's brutal civil war.Mr Bemba led the MLC during DR Congo's brutal civil war.
After a peace deal in DR Congo in 2003, he laid down his arms and joined an interim government.After a peace deal in DR Congo in 2003, he laid down his arms and joined an interim government.
He lost a run-off election against President Joseph Kabila in 2006.He lost a run-off election against President Joseph Kabila in 2006.
Mr Bemba was living in Belgium when he was arrested in 2008 to stand trial.Mr Bemba was living in Belgium when he was arrested in 2008 to stand trial.
Jean-Pierre Bemba:Jean-Pierre Bemba:
Profile: Jean-Pierre BembaProfile: Jean-Pierre Bemba