ICC allows in absentia hearings in case against Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony

According to prosecutors Kony had ultimate power over the entire LRA and led a coordinated campaign to abduct children to integrate them into the LRA.

The abducted children were subjected to a “carefully designed and coordinated regime of physical and psychological violence” including sometimes being forced to beat and even kill other abductees, the document containing the charges said.

Kony, who is still at large, has said he is not guilty of the allegations against him.

The fugitive African warlord who couldn’t be killed or captured

In late 2022 ICC prosecutor Karim Khan requested a hearing in the case to offer a “meaningful milestone” for victims and to present the depth of evidence gathered against Kony.

It is the first time since the court became a legal reality in 2002 that ICC judges have allowed a so-called confirmation of charges hearing without the suspect present and could have implications for other cases with fugitive suspects.

Russia denies committing war crimes in Ukraine, while Sudanese authorities dismissed the court when the warrant against Bashir was issued in 2009.