Summary
The International Criminal Court (ICC) will hold a hearing against Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony, who is accused of serious crimes. Kony's crimes are linked to his leadership of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), which operated in Uganda and neighboring countries. The hearing will take place without Kony present and will decide if charges against him can proceed.
Key Facts
- The ICC hearing for Joseph Kony is happening in his absence, the first such case for the court.
- Kony faces 39 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to his time leading the LRA.
- These crimes include rape, torture, and child abductions, mostly from 2002 to 2005.
- Kony has avoided capture since he was first charged in 2005.
- The LRA caused the deaths of at least 100,000 people and displaced around 2.5 million more.
- The hearing will last three days, as prosecutors present their case to the judges.
- The court’s decision may set a precedent for future cases involving other individuals who are difficult to apprehend.
