The confirmation hearing in the case The Prosecutor v. Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman is scheduled to open on 24 May 2021 at 9:30 (The Hague local time) before Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Pre-Trial Chamber II is composed of Judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala (Presiding judge), Judge Antoine Kesia-Mbe Mindua and Judge Tomoko Akane.
The hearing is scheduled from 24 to 27 May 2021 in Courtroom III. The Prosecutor, the Defence, the Office of Public Counsel for the Victims and the joint Legal representatives of the victims will make oral submissions before the judges to present their arguments on the merits.
The purpose of the confirmation of charges hearing is to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the person committed each of the crimes charged. If the charges are confirmed, the case will be transferred to a Trial Chamber, which will conduct the subsequent phase of the proceedings: the trial.
Background: The first warrant of arrest delivered on 27 April 2007 and the second warrant published on 11 June 2020 against Mr Abd-Al-Rahman list 53 counts on the basis of his individual criminal responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Darfur (Sudan). Mr Abd-Al-Rahman was transferred to the ICC’s custody on 9 June 2020, after surrendering himself voluntarily in the Central African Republic. His initial appearance before the ICC took place on 15 June 2020.