The first case at the International Criminal Court may be setting an unwelcome precedent as judges this week suspended the trial for Congolese militia leader, Thomas Lubanga.
ICC judges in June suspended the trial because prosecutors would not share their evidence with the defense. The judges this week said Lubana should remain in custody, but noted the case could not continue, the National newspaper said.
“Pending the new determination, Mr. Lubanga shall remain in the custody of the court,” said judge Sang-Hyun Song. “The trial chamber was wrong in finding that the inevitable consequence of the decision to stay the proceedings was his unconditional and immediate release.”
Lubanga faces the ICC for recruiting child soldiers for the Union of Congolese Patriots during conflicts in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Ten years of civil war in the region have left more than 5 million dead.
