On 15 January 2024, due to the Presiding Judge's current health situation, Trial Chamber X of the International Criminal Court (ICC) decided to postpone the delivery of its judgment on conviction or acquittal pursuant to article 74 of the Rome Statute in the case The Prosecutor v. Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud to a new date, which will be announced in due course. The delivery of the judgment had been initially scheduled for 18 January 2024.
The judges will either acquit or convict the accused. The accused before the ICC is presumed innocent. While the Prosecution must prove the guilt of the accused, the Trial Chamber will convict the accused only if it is satisfied that the charges have been proven beyond reasonable doubt. The Chamber bases its decision only on the applicable law and on evidence submitted and discussed before it at the trial. In response to the verdict, the parties will be able to appeal the decision before the ICC's Appeals Chamber.
Trial Chamber X is composed of Judge Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua (Presiding Judge), Judge Tomoko Akane and Judge Kimberly Prost. The three judges ensure the fairness of the trial and that the rights of both parties and of the victims are respected.
Order vacating the hearing scheduled for the delivery of the Trial Judgment
Background: Mr Al Hassan is accused of crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed in Timbuktu (Mali). The trial in this case opened on 14-15 July 2020. 52 oral witnesses were called by the Prosecution at this stage and 22 Defence witnesses appeared in court. The Legal Representatives of Victims, representing 2196 victims in this case, also called two witnesses to testify. On 8 February 2023, Trial Chamber X declared the closure of the submission of evidence in this case and parties and participants were requested to file their final briefs. The closing statements of the Prosecution, the Legal Representatives of Victims and the Defence took place from 23 to 25 May 2023.
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