ICC confirms war crimes charges against Joseph Kony in absentia
Kony, who remains at large, faces 39 charges, including murder, sexual enslavement and rape, and is the ICC's longest-standing fugitive.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has confirmed war crimes and crimes against humanity charges against Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony, nearly two decades after the court first issued a warrant for his arrest.
Kony, who remains at large, faces 39 charges, including murder, sexual enslavement and rape. He is the ICC's longest-standing fugitive.
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The crimes were committed in northern Uganda between 2002 and 2005, when he commanded the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA).
The confirmation orders were issued in absentia, years after his initial warrant of arrest was issued under seal on July 8, 2005, amended on September 27, 2005, and unsealed on October 13, 2005.
On December 12, 2024, ICC Pre-Trial Chamber III scheduled the confirmation of charges hearing to begin on September 9, 2025, in the absence of Kony.
Subsequently, on June 3, 2025, the Appeals Chamber upheld the decision outlining the criteria for conducting confirmation of charges proceedings in absentia.
The hearing took place on September 9 and 10, 2025, at the seat of the Court in The Hague, Netherlands, where he was represented by defence counsel, Peter Haynes.
Under ICC rules, a full trial cannot commence without the defendant’s presence in court. However, the confirmation allows the case to proceed once he is apprehended.
ICC Prosecutors said efforts to track down and arrest Kony, now aged 64, are ongoing.
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