Katanga and Ngudjolo Plead Not Guilty In First Day Of Trial

By: Jonathan Ambaye
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa Desk

THE HAGUE, Netherlands-Today marked the first day of the human rights and war crimes trial of two Congolese militia leaders, Germain Katanga and Mathieu Ngudjolo.  Katanga and Ngudjolo both plead not guilty to charges stemming from an accusation that they directed an attack on the village of Bogoro in 2003, in which more than 200 people were killed. The specific charges the two face include, ordering attacks on civilians, sexual slavery, rape, and enlisting child soldiers. Today both Katanga and Ngudjolo denied the allegations and expressed sympathy for the victims.

Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo opened the case against the two defendants, alleging they tried to wipe out the entire village of Bogorao. Ocampo used the prosecution’s opening to give a graphic illustration of the horrors that took place in the village of Bogorao. During the course of the attack he said, “some villagers were shot dead in their sleep, some cut up by machetes to save bullets. Others were burned alive after their houses were set on fire by the attackers. “He described the defendants, Katanga and Ngudjolo, as the top commanders of the troops that killed, raped, and pillaged. He further alleged in his opening, “they used children as soldiers, they killed more than 200 civilians in a few hours, they raped women; girls and the elderly, they looted the entire village and they transformed women into sex slaves.

Katanga’s defense attorney claimed that Katanga was “merely defending his own people” and had no part in the Bogoro attack. Ngudjolo’s defense attorney also said that Ngudjolo had not been involved in the attack at Bogoro, and that he had a “clear conscience”.

For more information please see:

AP – 2 Warlords Plead Innocent In Congo Massacre Trial – 24 November 2009

BBC – Congo Warlords Deny Atrocities – 24 November 2009

VOA – Rebel Leaders Plead Not Guilty In Congo Massacre Trial – 24 November 2009

Author: Impunity Watch Archive