{"id":20056735,"date":"2023-10-20T16:43:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T14:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dabangasudan.org\/?p=20056735"},"modified":"2023-10-20T19:55:21","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T17:55:21","slug":"icc-darfur-janjaweed-leaders-lawyers-present-defence-case","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dabangasudan.org\/en\/all-news\/article\/icc-darfur-janjaweed-leaders-lawyers-present-defence-case","title":{"rendered":"ICC: Darfur janjaweed leader\u2019s lawyers present defence case"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The defence team representing former Darfur janjaweed leader, Ali Muhammad Ali Abdelrahman, known as \u2018Ali Kushayb\u2019 and referred to as the \u2018Colonel of Colonels, who stands accused of 31 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity<\/a> between 2003 and at least 2004, began presenting their opening ststements at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, the Netherlands over the last two days.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Wednesday, ICC Trial Chamber presided over by Judge Joanna Korner, and assisted by Judge Reine Alapini-Gansou and Judge Althea Alexis-Windsor, heard testimony from a participating victim (designated DAR-V47-V-0004), called by the legal representatives of victims in the case. One spoke of life in his village and surrounding villages prior to the attack, including community ties between villages in the area. The victim also spoke of fleeing his village in December 2023 to the mountains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another witness called by the legal representatives of victims in the case (designated DAR-V47-V-0005), a former resident of Kutum, who was allegedly present during the attack on the village on August 15 2003, spoke of the Fur community in Kutum, and communal connections between Kutumm and other villages in the area, such as Bindisi. She spoke of fleeing from Kutum after attacks, and the harm suffered by the victim, her family, and her community arising from the charged attack on Kutum.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Chief Defence Counsel, Cyril Laucci (Photo: ICC)<\/strong><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In previous sessions, the prosecution brought forth compelling witness testimonies to support the allegations against Abdelrahman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kushayb and his militia are accused of attacking villages, including Kudoum and Bindisi, which resulted in the displacement of the civilians of these villages to Mukjar and the alleged detention, seizure and executions of villagers, including community leaders, in Mukjar in the period from February to March 2004.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Previous witnesses<\/a> during the trial have given various examples of janjaweed atrocities in Darfur, in one case explaining how they \u201cpillaged and burnt down villages\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Associate Defence Counsel Iain Edwards: “We\u2019ve had to do our best with the hand that we\u2019ve been dealt.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Defence statements<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ali Kushayb has pleaded not guilty<\/a> to all charges. From the start of pre-trial proceedings, defence has always pivoted on \u2018mistaken identity\u2019, saying that he is not the person who perpetrated these crimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The defence team, under the leadership of Cyril Laucci<\/a>, began its opening arguments on Thursday. \u201cThe situation facing the Sudanese people in 2023 is tragic, and allow me to begin my opening statement by expressing to them my thoughts and deepest solidarity,\u201d Laucci told the court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Associate Counsel Iain Edwards lamented the challenges experienced in carrying out their research and work, including difficulties regarding non-cooperation from Sudan. \u201cCircumstances have not permitted us to place before you the evidence that this case requires, and that our client deserves. We\u2019ve had to do our best with the hand that we\u2019ve been dealt.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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