ICC provides prosecution more time to build case against Gbago: On 3 June 2013, ICC judges announced that prosecutors would have until 15 November to further investigate former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbago. The judges ruled that the evidence submitted is not strong enough to merit a trial, but not weak enough to drop the charges. Gbago, the only ex-head of state to appear before the ICC, is charged with crimes against humanity for his role in the Ivory Coast’s 2010 post-election violence. They delay may harm the ICC’s credibility “after a string of collapsed prosecutions and criticisms from African leaders who accuse the court of targeting Africans.”
ICTY upholds Serbian leader’s contempt of court sentence: On 30 May 2013, the ICTY Appeals Chamber upheld Vojislav Šešelj’s two-year contempt of court conviction for failure to remove confidential information about witnesses from his website. Šešelj appealed that the Contempt Trial Chamber’s failure to provide him a case manager denied his right to a defense and fair trial. However, the Appeals Chamber ruled that, while the Trial Chamber failed to provide a reasoned opinion, the provision of a legal advisor made a case manager unnecessary. Šešelj, the leader of the Serbian Radical Party, is charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes against non-Serbs from 1991-1994.
Top Khmer Rouge leader apologizes for atrocities: On 30 May 2013, Nuon Chea, known as “Brother Number Two” after former regime chief Pol Pot, accepted responsibility for the deaths of millions of Cambodians during the 1970s and apologized to victims. The 86-year old Chea testified at the UN-backed ECCC from his prison cell via video due to poor health. Khieu Samphan, another former Khmer Rouge leader on trial, denied any knowledge of the atrocities committed by the regime. The two men are charged with crimes against humanity and genocide—this is the first time either man has accepted responsibility for the crimes.
ICC denies warrant for former CAR president: On 3 June 2013, the ICC announced that it had not issued an arrest warrant for ex-Central African Republic President Francois Bozizé. This announcement followed the issuance of an international arrest warrant for Bozizé by the CAR’s chief prosecutor. The ICC denied that charges against Bozizé necessarily fell under the Court’s jurisdiction—but affirmed that it would continue to monitor developments in the CAR. Bozizé, who seized power in 2003 by coup, is wanted by the CAR for crimes against humanity and incitement to genocide
Ugandan Senator accuses President of dishonestly over ICC: On 3 June 2013, Ugandan Senator James Orengo criticized Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni for his recent negative remarks about the ICC. Orengo pointed to the fact that Museveni has been a huge supporter of the ICC in the past—even hosting ICC conferences. Orengo opined that Museveni’s criticisms of the ICC are meant to solicit support to become the first President of the East African Federation.
