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| In historic ruling, international court cites rape in war crimes conviction of ex-Congo official | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| NAIROBI — The International Criminal Court broke new ground Monday by adding rape to a war crimes conviction, finding the former vice president of Congo guilty of abuses — including sexual crimes — in connection with a military intervention in the neighboring Central African Republic. | NAIROBI — The International Criminal Court broke new ground Monday by adding rape to a war crimes conviction, finding the former vice president of Congo guilty of abuses — including sexual crimes — in connection with a military intervention in the neighboring Central African Republic. |
| It was the first time the Netherlands-based court has convicted anyone of sexual violence since it was launched in 2002. | It was the first time the Netherlands-based court has convicted anyone of sexual violence since it was launched in 2002. |
| Jean-Pierre Bemba was convicted for the crimes he and other members of the Movement for Liberation of Congo committed in the CAR from 2002 to 2003. | Jean-Pierre Bemba was convicted for the crimes he and other members of the Movement for Liberation of Congo committed in the CAR from 2002 to 2003. |
| [U.N. report details new rape accusations against peacekeepers] | [U.N. report details new rape accusations against peacekeepers] |
| He knowingly permitted his troops to commit horrific sexual abuse against both women and men, the court found, after dispatching them to help the CAR’s president, Ange-Félix Patassé, quash a coup. | He knowingly permitted his troops to commit horrific sexual abuse against both women and men, the court found, after dispatching them to help the CAR’s president, Ange-Félix Patassé, quash a coup. |
| Through the years-long ICC trial at The Hague, Bemba tried to distance himself from the allegations. But in Monday’s landmark ruling, the court placed the blame squarely on Bemba, saying he was “criminally responsible.” | Through the years-long ICC trial at The Hague, Bemba tried to distance himself from the allegations. But in Monday’s landmark ruling, the court placed the blame squarely on Bemba, saying he was “criminally responsible.” |
| The formal conviction was for “war crimes and crimes against humanity.” He was ordered to remain in detention until sentencing at a later date. Bemba watched on, emotionless, throughout the hearing. | The formal conviction was for “war crimes and crimes against humanity.” He was ordered to remain in detention until sentencing at a later date. Bemba watched on, emotionless, throughout the hearing. |
| The ICC has been criticized for its slowness and missteps in early trials, but the latest ruling looks to embolden the court at a critical time, with several other key cases still to be heard. | The ICC has been criticized for its slowness and missteps in early trials, but the latest ruling looks to embolden the court at a critical time, with several other key cases still to be heard. |
| It shows the court’s willingness to hold commanders responsible for the crimes of their subordinates – a link some questioned the court would make. | It shows the court’s willingness to hold commanders responsible for the crimes of their subordinates – a link some questioned the court would make. |
| Read more: | Read more: |
| Today's coverage from Post correspondents around the world | Today's coverage from Post correspondents around the world |