International Criminal Court : Maxime Jeoffroy Eli Mokom Gawaka confirmation hearing scheduled for 31 January 2023

24-03-2022

Grace ATALUI MOKANGO

International Justice and Human Rights Researcher 

Global Human Rights Defence

The first appearance of Maxime Jeoffroy Eli Mokom Gawaka before Pre-Trial Chamber II of the ICC was held on Tuesday 22 March 2022 on suspicion of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in the Central African Republic between at least 5 December 2013 and at least December 2014.

The press release states that the Chamber verified the suspect's identity during the hearing and ensured that he was informed of his alleged crimes and his rights under the Rome Statute in a language he fully understands and speaks, which for Mr. Mokom is Sango. The hearing took place in the presence of Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang and Mr. Nicholas Kaufman, who represented Mr. Mokom.

The next step in the case is a confirmation hearing before the Pre-Trial Chamber to determine whether there are substantial grounds to believe that the suspect committed these crimes. At the end of this hearing, the Pre-Trial Chamber will decide to confirm the charges, in whole or in part, and will refer the case to a Trial Chamber. The latter will then conduct the trial, which will result in a conviction beyond a reasonable doubt or an acquittal. However, the Pre-Trial Chamber may also dismiss the charges against the suspect. In this regard, the opening of the confirmation hearing is provisionally set for 31 January 2023. 

Source and further reading

International Criminal Court, Maxime Jeoffroy Eli Mokom Gawaka makes first appearance before the ICC: confirmation of charges hearing scheduled for 31 January 2023, Press release, (22 March 2022), from: https://www.icc-cpi.int/Pages/item.aspx?name=pr1648