- The International Criminal Court has denied former DR Congo vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba bail saying he would flee if released.
The prosecution reversed the court's decision in August to grant Mr Bemba a conditional release, while awaiting his trail which resumes in April next year in the international court.
The prosecution argued that Mr Bemba was a flight risk and may harm witnesses in his trial if he could be granted bail.
Mr Bemba who was arrested in May 2008, faces five counts of murder, rape and pillage for allegedly commanding forces responsible for atrocities committed in the Central African Republic between October 2002 and March 2003.
If convicted Mr Bemba is likely to face a lengthy prison sentence, though the court's statutes do not mention a maximum term.
Mr Bemba, who skipped DR Congo in 2007 after losing presidential elections held during a political transition in the wake of a 1998-2003 civil war, was arrested on an ICC warrant in May 2008.
He had briefly led the opposition, but was forced into exile when government forces tried to disarm his private militia in clashes that killed 300 in March 2007.
Mr Bemba's trial will be the ICC's third since it started operating in The Hague in July 2002.
The ICC is an independent, permanent court that investigates and prosecutes persons accused of the most serious crimes, namely genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
front page
| news
| countries
| archive
| currencies
| news alerts login
| about afrol News
| contact
| advertise
| español