The International Criminal Court began today, Tuesday, the trial of two former militia leaders accused of committing serious war crimes in Central Africa, amid a new escalation of violence in the country.
Former politician Alfred Yecatom, nicknamed "Rambo", and former football official Patrice Edward-Njaysuna, confirmed their innocence in court in The Hague.
The two defendants face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, deportation, rape and child recruitment in the Central African Republic between 2013 and 2014, according to the indictment issued by the International Criminal Court.
According to the allegation, Njaysuna, who led his country´s football association until the end of 2019, and Wicatum, were from the inner circle of former President Francois Bozize, who was planning a coup.
The prosecution added that Christian militias were formed, armed and funded for this purpose, and pointed out that the defendants planned, ordered and assisted in carrying out attacks targeting the Muslim population.
"These attacks were among the essential components of the strategy to restore power to Bozize," Prosecutor Kuiku Vanderbuey said.
The accused were arrested in 2018
The mineral-rich and extremely poor country, with a population of 4.7 million, has been experiencing conflict for years.
Bozize was overthrown by the Muslim Seleka rebels in 2013. Years of fighting ensued.
And renewed violence again due to the presidential elections in December, and armed men attacked the capital. According to the United Nations, more than 60,000 people have fled to neighboring countries to escape the violence.
