afrol News, 2 December - The International Criminal Court has denied former DR Congo vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba bail saying he would flee if released.

The prosecution reversed the court's decision in August to grant Mr Bemba a conditional release, while awaiting his trail which resumes in April next year in the international court.

The prosecution argued that Mr Bemba was a flight risk and may harm witnesses in his trial if he could be granted bail.

Mr Bemba who was arrested in May 2008, faces five counts of murder, rape and pillage for allegedly commanding forces responsible for atrocities committed in the Central African Republic between October 2002 and March 2003.

If convicted Mr Bemba is likely to face a lengthy prison sentence, though the court's statutes do not mention a maximum term.

Mr Bemba, who skipped DR Congo in 2007 after losing presidential elections held during a political transition in the wake of a 1998-2003 civil war, was arrested on an ICC warrant in May 2008.

He had briefly led the opposition, but was forced into exile when government forces tried to disarm his private militia in clashes that killed 300 in March 2007.

Mr Bemba's trial will be the ICC's third since it started operating in The Hague in July 2002.

The ICC is an independent, permanent court that investigates and prosecutes persons accused of the most serious crimes, namely genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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