On 28 November 2023 at 9:30 (Hague time), the Defence for Mr Alfred Yekatom will make its opening statement before Trial Chamber V of the International Criminal Court (ICC), in the case The Prosecutor v. Alfred Yekatom and Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona. Ms Mylène Dimitri, Lead Counsel, will make her statement in open session and will have up to three hours to do so. The Defence for Mr Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona already presented its opening statement at the beginning of trial on 18 February 2021. The hearings will then resume on 11 December 2023, when the Defence will start calling its witnesses and presenting its case.
Background: The trial in this case opened on 16 February 2021 before Trial Chamber V. The prosecution called 75 witnesses to testify and the Legal Representatives of Victims also called 2 witnesses. Mr Yekatom and Mr Ngaïssona are in the Court's custody. Trial Chamber V is composed of Judge Bertram Schmitt (Presiding judge), Judge Péter Kovács, and Judge Chang-ho Chung.
The hearings can be followed with a 30 minute-delay on the ICC website, in English, French and Sango (Courtroom 1).
Attending the hearings:
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Members of the diplomatic corps, NGOs and other members of the public can attend the hearing without prior registration. However, attendees must present a valid passport or valid ID with a photo at the main entrance of the Court (at: Oude Waalsdorperweg 10, 2597 AK The Hague).
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Journalists wishing to cover the hearing can attend without prior registration. However, all journalists must present a valid press card, and a valid passport or valid ID with a photo, at the main entrance of the Court (at: Oude Waalsdorperweg 10, 2597 AK The Hague).
For further information on this case, check here
Background information:
- Case page: English, French
- Case information sheet: English, French
- Public redacted version of "Document Containing the Charges"
- Non-authoritative summary of the decision on the confirmation of charges"
- Further Directions on the Conduct of the Proceedings (Presentation of Evidence by the CLRV and the Defence)
- Initial Directions on the Conduct of the Proceedings
