Appeals judges at the International Criminal Court gave a final greenlight Tuesday for the tribunal’s first in absentia hearing by allowing the next step in proceedings against notorious fugitive Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony.
The Hague-based court has scheduled a so-called confirmation of charges hearing at which prosecutors will present evidence in September to back up charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity against Kony, despite his whereabouts being unknown.
Kony, the leader of the brutal Lord’s Resistance Army, faces dozens of counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, sexual enslavement and rape.
The ICC’s rules do not allow trials entirely in absentia but can in some circumstances move forward with a confirmation of charges even if the suspect is not in custody.
Kony’s court appointed lawyers had argued his fair trial rights would be violated if the proceedings continued without their client.
Judge Erdenebalsuren Damdin
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