Darfur Rebels Seek Halt To ICC Case Against Them

Published January 6, 2012 5:18PM (EST)

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Two Darfur rebels accused of taking part in a 2007 attack that left 12 peacekeepers dead in Sudan have asked the International Criminal Court to halt the case because their lawyers cannot visit Sudan to interview witnesses.

Lawyers for Abdallah Banda Abakaer Nourain and Saleh Mohammed Jerbo Jamus say Sudan's refusal to let them into the country makes it impossible to mount an effective defense and prevents a panel of trial judges from "adequately fulfilling its obligation to determine the truth."

Both rebels surrendered to the court in 2010 and were allowed to return to Darfur to await their trial, which has not yet started.

In a motion released Friday the lawyers say only a temporary halt to proceedings "will safeguard the fair trial rights" of the rebels.


By Salon Staff

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