(EMAILWIRE.COM, January 14, 2009 ) The Hague, ICC-20090113-MA30-ENG

Situation: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Case: The Prosecutor v. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo

Trial Chamber I, composed of Judge Adrian Fulford – the presiding judge, Judge Elizabeth Odio Benito and Judge René Blattmann, confirmed Monday, 26 January 2009 as the starting date of the trial in the case of The Prosecutor v. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo.



The Chamber fixed the schedule for the trial as follows:



Monday 26 January 2009 (Opening Day)



10:00 - 11:30 Session 1

11:30 - 12:00 Break

12:00 - 13:30 Session 2

13:30 - 15:00 Break

15:00 - 16:30 Session 3



For all other days of the hearing the schedule will consist of the following:



Mondays:



12:00 - 14:00 Session 1

14:00 - 15:00 Break

15:00 - 17:00 Session 2



Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays:



09:30 - 11:00 Session 1

11:00 - 11:30 Break

11:30 - 13:00 Session 2

13:00 - 14:30 Break

14:30 - 16:00 Session 3



Fridays:



09:30 - 11:30 Session 1

11:30 - 12:00 Break

12:00 - 14:00 Session 2



Background information



Mr Lubanga, the founder and leader of the Union des patriotes congolais (Union of Congolese Patriots), is accused of committing war crimes consisting of conscripting and enlisting children under the age of 15 into the FPLC, the military wing of the Union des patriotes congolais, and using them to participate actively in hostilities in Ituri, from September 2002 to 13 August 2003.



He was arrested and surrendered to the Court on 17 March 2006 upon a warrant of arrest issued by Pre-Trial Chamber I at the request of the Prosecutor.

Publicity of proceedings

The hearing will be held in open session unless ordered otherwise. The courtroom proceedings can be followed on the ICC website at:

Courtroom I:

English: http://livestream.xs4all.nl/icc1.asx
French: http://livestream.xs4all.nl/icc2.asx

Please note there will be a 30-minute delay in transmission.



For further information please contact Ms Sonia Robla, Head of Public Information and Documentation Section at +31 (0)70 515-8089 or +31 (0) 6 46 44 87 26 or at sonia.robla@icc-cpi.int

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Contact Information:
The International Criminal Court (ICC)
Sonia Robla
Tel: +31 (0)70 515-8089
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