Joseph Kony’s Case To Continue Despite His Absence – ICC

Judges at the International Crime Court (ICC) have ruled that prosecutors can bring a hearing on charges against a fugitive Ugandan warlord despite his absence.

Joseph Kony was the leader of the notorious Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), which abducted thousands of children to use as soldiers or sex slaves.

The hearing has been scheduled for 15 October.

He is accused of 33 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Joseph Kony formed the LRA in Uganda over two decades ago and claimed to be fighting to install a government based on the Bible’s Ten Commandments.

The arrest warrant for Mr Kony was issued in 2005, but he has evaded capture.

At one time he was pursued by Ugandan and US troops but they gave up the chase in 2017, arguing that with his dwindling band of followers he had become a spent force.

He is also accused of brutalising civilians in northern Uganda through murder, abduction, mutilation and the burning of property.

Last week, the ICC awarded reparations of €52m ($56m; £44.5m) to victims of LRA commander Dominic Ongwen.

BBC/Jide Johnson.