Audio By Carbonatix
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has reversed its own decision to award bail to Congolese war crimes suspect Jean-Pierre Bemba.
Judges at The Hague decided Mr Bemba, Democratic Republic of Congo's ex-vice-president, might flee if set free.
Mr Bemba, who has not entered a plea, is accused of leading militias who murdered and raped civilians in Central African Republic in 2002 and 2003.
He was arrested in Belgium last year and extradited to The Hague.
The court had granted him bail in August, but said he would not be freed until it could be decided which country would host him.
But appeals judge Akua Kuenyehia ruled that there was a risk he would flee, and revoked the bail.
Politically motivated?
Mr Bemba led a militia known as the Movement for the Liberation of Congo during DR Congo's brutal civil war.
After a peace deal ending the war in 2003, he laid down his arms and joined an interim government as vice-president.
But fighters from his militia have been accused of committing atrocities when they intervened in the conflict in the Central African Republic.
He says his troops were not under his command once they crossed the border into CAR to help then-President Ange-Felix Patasse put down a coup attempt in 2002.
He is to face trial on three counts of war crimes and two of crimes against humanity.
One of his defence lawyers has suggested that the charges may be politically motivated to remove Mr Bemba from future elections in DR Congo.
He lost a run-off election against President Joseph Kabila in 2006.
He later fled the country after being charged with treason after his bodyguards clashed with the army in 2007.
Source: BBC
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Ato Forson highlights “turning point” in economic recovery strategy
2 minutes -
NACSA Seminar: Gender Minister demands an increased role for women to end gun violence
7 minutes -
Full text: Statement on Ghana’s new engagement with IMF
14 minutes -
US trade mission to visit Ghana
51 minutes -
Tempane: Three suspects arrested over deadly Worinyanga attacksÂ
52 minutes -
EU fines Temu €200m for allowing sale of illegal products
53 minutes -
Portugal breaks hottest May day record as Europe swelters in heatwave
53 minutes -
KetaFC celebrates “vindication” after Volta RFA Middle League controversy
54 minutes -
Professor Joseph Ofori-Dankwa receives 2026 Lifetime Leadership Impact Award
55 minutes -
United Pension Trustees advocates menstrual hygiene awareness and support for girls in Juaben
57 minutes -
The age when the body starts ageing faster
59 minutes -
Controversial Volta RFA verdict triggers calls for GFA intervention
1 hour -
AIMS Ghana, University of Waterloo lead push for stronger mathematics education at HTTMC 2026
1 hour -
NADMO dismisses claims residents were not warned before Weija Dam spillage
3 hours -
Government begins payment of 2020 batch of nurses and midwives arrears
3 hours