Central African Republic: three members of the 3R rebel movement in front of the SPC

The appeal trial of the three members of the 3R rebel movement opened on Tuesday at the Appeals Chamber of the Special Criminal Court in Bangui. Issa Sallet Adoum alias Bozizé, Yaouba Ousmane and Mahamat Tahir, are accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity for the massacre of 46 civilians in May 2019 in villages in the Northwest. They had been sentenced at first instance to life imprisonment. On Tuesday, lawyers for the civil party and those of the defense sought to know whether the crimes committed were isolated or widespread acts.

An overview of the Special Criminal Court (SCC), Bangui, April 19, 2022. AFP - BARBARA STANDING

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With our correspondent in Bangui, Rolf Stève Domia-Leu

The Appeals Chamber trial began Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. in the courtroom of the Special Criminal Court in the presence of the three accused. After the introduction of the Judge-Rapporteur, the different parties took turns speaking.

According to André Olivier Manguéréka, lawyer for the civil party, the alleged perpetrators must be tried and sentenced for the crimes committed by the rebel movement 3R 2019, but also for crimes of 2012 when there was the coup d'état in the country. For him, the three accused began their forfeits since that period before falling into the nets of justice in 2019. He therefore requested the continuation of life imprisonment against the accused.

Things that the defense lawyers categorically refused. According to Paul Yakola, the massacre of 46 civilians in May 2019 in the villages of Koundjili and Lemouna, is part of the isolated facts. He called for the defendants to be tried only for the events of 2019 and for sentences to be lightened or simply quashed.

This appeal trial represents a decisive moment for the victims who have consistently demanded justice and reparation for the crimes committed during successive conflicts in the country.

The hearing resumes this Wednesday at 10am.

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  • Central African Republic
  • Justice