Cases
The Prosecutor v. Bemba et al.
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Allegations & Charges
Factual Allegations
This case arises from the Accused’s actions in connection with the case of The Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, in which Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo was charged, tried, and ultimately acquitted of crimes against humanity (murder, rape) and war crimes (murder, rape, and pillaging) at the ICC.
The ICC Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) alleges that Narcisse Arido, though initially recruited as an expert witness on military operations in the CAR by lead defense counsel Aimé Kilolo Musamba, participated in a scheme, devised by Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, to transfer financial compensation to defense witnesses in exchange for false testimony and false or forged documents* favorable to the defense of Mr. Bemba in the case of The Prosecutor v. Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo. (*Pre-Trial Chamber II declined to confirm the charge of false or forged documents.)
From 2012 to November 14, 2013, Mr. Arido, as alleged by the OTP, recruited other defense witnesses to falsely testify that they were members of CAR armed forces (when they were not), coached their testimonies, and transferred money to them. Mr. Arido also relayed messages between Mr. Kilolo and the recruited defense witnesses and received transfers of money from Mr. Kilolo, Mr. Bemba’s former primary political advisor Fidèle Babala Wandu, and Mr. Babala’s chauffeur.
Please visit the Court’s website for more information on The Prosecutor v. Bemba et al.
Charges
The Accused is charged with committing the crimes listed below as an individual, jointly with another or through another person, under Article 25(3)(a) of the Rome Statute, and with aiding, abetting, or otherwise assisting in the commission of these crimes under Article 25(3)(c).
Under these two modes of criminal liability, the Accused is charged with the following crimes:
Presenting False Evidence (Offense against the Administration of Justice): Article 70(1)(b)
Corruptly Influencing Witnesses (Offense against the Administration of Justice): Article 70(1)(c)
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Key Events
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Pre-Trial Chamber II issued a sealed arrest warrant for Narcisse Arido on November 20, 2013, which was unsealed on November 28, 2013. Mr. Arido entered ICC custody on March 18, 2014. Charges against Mr. Arido were confirmed on November 11, 2014. His trial opened on September 29, 2015.
- Arrest Warrant Issued : November 20, 2013
- Initial Appearance : March 20, 2014
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Decision on the confirmation of charges
Confirmation of Charges : November 11, 2014
Press release - Start of Trial : September 29, 2015
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Mr. Arido and four other accused were convicted of various offenses against the administration of justice.
Mr. Arido was convicted of corruptly influencing 4 witnesses (Article 70(1)(c)). He was acquitted of aiding, abetting, or otherwise assisting in giving false testimony by witnesses or presenting false evidence of four witnesses (Article 70(1)(a) and (b)).
Convicted : October 19, 2016 -
Narcisse Arido was sentenced in total to 11 months’ imprisonment. The time Mr. Arido spent previously in detention was deducted. Since the imposed sentence is equivalent to the period that Mr. Arido spent in custody, the Chamber considered the sentence of imprisonment as served.
Sentencing : March 22, 2017 -
The Appeals Chamber rejected Mr. Arido’s appeals as to both his conviction and his sentence, making both final.
Press Release
Appeal : March 8, 2018
Appeals Judgment on Conviction
Summary of Appeals Judgment on Conviction
Appeals Judgment on Sentence
Summary of Appeals Judgment on Sentence
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