Trial Chamber VI of the International Criminal Court unanimously sentenced Congolese warlord, Bosco Ntaganda to a total of 30 years imprisonment.
However, the time Mr Ntaganda has spent in detention at the ICC from 22 March 2013 to 7 November 2019 will be deducted from this sentence. To make its decision, the Chamber received submissions from the parties and participants regarding the possible sentence, heard witnesses and admitted evidence, and held a hearing on the matter between 17-20 September 2019.
The court considered the gravity of the crimes and the degree of harm caused by each crime as well as Ntaganda’s culpability, namely his level of intent and degree of participation. The court also considered mitigating circumstances but found them either not to be established or considered the weight accorded to be too limited to impact on the individual and overall sentences.
While the court did find specific aggravating factors to exist with respect to a number of the crimes, it did not consider the allegations about witness interference, which were presented as aggravating circumstances by the Prosecution and one of the Legal Representative of Victims, because the alleged interference was not proven beyond reasonable doubt.
On the basis of its overall assessment, and in accordance with the Rome Statute, the court imposed a specific sentence for each of the crimes committed by Mr Ntaganda. These sentences ranged from eight years to 30 years of imprisonment. In addition, the court imposed a joint overall sentence.
It therefore sentenced Bosco Ntaganda to a total of 30 years of imprisonment. In the circumstances of the case, taking into consideration the nature and gravity of the crimes, as well as Mr Ntaganda’s solvency, the court did not consider it appropriate to also impose a fine or forfeiture of proceeds in addition to the imprisonment.
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