Jean-Pierre Bemba found guilty of war crimes committed in the CAR

Judges at the International Criminal Court on Monday found Congolese politician Jean-Pierre Bemba guilty of war crimes, including murder, rape and pillage during a 2001-2002 conflict in the Central African Republic.

#ICC Trial Chamber III declares Jean-Pierre #Bemba Gombo guilty for war crimes and crimes against humanity pic.twitter.com/xxzNcLbFeS

— Int'l Criminal Court (@IntlCrimCourt) March 21, 2016

Judges said Bemba, a former Congo vice-president, had allowed his Movement for the Liberation of Congo militia to commit atrocities against civilians in the neighbouring Central African Republic as part of their campaign in support of then-president Ange-Felix Patasse.

Bemba, who was arrested in 2008 after a warrant was issued by the ICC, will be held in custody pending sentencing.

Reuters