Congolese ex-rebel leader, Jean-Pierre Bemba jailed for 18 years over war crimes and sexual violence

Congo: Ex Congolese rebel leader and former Vice President, Jean-Pierre Bemba has been sentenced to 18 years in prison by the International Criminal Court (ICC) after he was accused for war crimes and sexual violence.

In March, Bemba, was found guilty of crimes committed in neighboring Central African Republic (CAR) from 2002-2003 and was also accused of failing to stop his rebels from killing and raping people.

Bemba who was sentenced for five counts of rape, murder and pillaging, will his his jail terms run concurrently. Bemba who has already spent eight years in jail will see it deducted from his prison term.

Giving judgement at the ICC in The Hague, Judge Sylvia Steiner said;

 ''Bemba had failed to exercise control over his private militia group sent into CAR, where they carried out “sadistic” rapes, murders and pillaging of “particular cruelty”.

Bemba’s conviction marks the first time the ICC has focused on rape as a weapon of war, and the first time a suspect had been convicted over crimes committed by others under their command.

Bemba’s defense team said they will appeal against the decision.