Darfur rebel leader says prepared to face indictment at ICC
December 11, 2009 (PARIS) – A Darfur rebel chief who faces charges of masterminding an attack on peacekeepers said he will accept any decision made by the judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on his case.
The rebel chief is now awaiting the ruling of the Pre-Trial Chamber I which is deliberating on whether he should face trial. The decision should be made no later than January.
His defense lawyer Karim Khan said the ICC prosecutor’s evidence was unreliable and incomplete, adding that Abu Garda was not in Sudan in the months prior to the attack as he was traveling abroad in Africa as part of his work for the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) political wing.
Abu Garda “did not order the attack on Haskanita. He did not encourage it … He did not participate in it,” Khan said. “Rather than condoning or encouraging it, he went on record and roundly condemned it”.
In Cairo Abu Garda told audience in a forum that he complied with the ICC summons to appear “to assert the principle of combating impunity and [having] accountability”.
“We carried arms for justice as a principle so I have to appear before court and I am willing to bear the consequences whether it is incriminating or exonerating” he said.
Abu Garda called on Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir to stand before court if he is certain of his innocence adding that this sends a strong message to dictators worldwide.
Sudan has dismissed the appearance of Abu Garda describing it as a “play” by the ICC prosecutor to pressure Bashir, also wanted by the court, into surrendering himself.
(ST)
majook
Darfur rebel leader says prepared to face indictment at ICC
Dear Abu Garda,
your position of willingness to stand before the ICC is a move that can not be done by any other leader.It shows that you are a brave leader who is ready to fight for the freedom of the Durfurian.That Bashir in khartoum is a coward.if he was sure that he is inocent,he should have done what you have done.you will be hero of Durfurian.God will be with you and those good for nothing whites of the ICC should also consider their own war criminals in the west.They should not deceive us that they do not have. What about those drug trafficers in South America? what about the IRA?
Amir Ageeb
Darfur rebel leader says prepared to face indictment at ICC
Sudan has dismissed the appearance of Abu Garda describing it as a “play” by the ICC prosecutor to pressure Bashir, also wanted by the court, into surrendering himself.
The question is why Abu-Garda is linking Al-Bashir to his case! It is clear that the argue made by the NCP is completely logical.
I do not say and never say the NCP government is perfect or al-Bashir is innocent; but, making such sceneries like what Abu-Garda and his defeated allies are depicting is not helping the issue.
Al-Bashir case has been politicized and that is why the ICC is receiving no response and marginalised as it should be.
Time1
Darfur rebel leader says prepared to face indictment at ICC
At least Idriss he is brave enough and ready to clear his name in court, however Omer bashir is a big coward president, he is afriad to meet Ocampo.