On 6 May 2024, the Registry of the ICC published a call for expression of interest for counsel for Mr. Jospeh Kony for in absentia confirmation of charges hearings. The deadline for applications is 16 May 2024.
On 4 March 2024, Pre-Trial Chamber II issued a decision on the Prosecutor’s request to hold a confirmation of charges hearing (“confirmation hearing”) in the case against Mr Joseph Kony in the suspect’s absence, should he not appear, and set the date for this hearing, to commence on 15 October 2024 (“Decision”).
In the Decision, the Chamber instructed the ICC Registry to make its best efforts to inform Mr Kony that a confirmation hearing in absentia will take place on 15 October 2024, and to commence the process of selection of counsel to represent the rights and interests of Mr Kony during the confirmation process and the confirmation hearing, should this take place in his absence. In setting this date, the Chamber took into consideration that the Defence counsel will require sufficient time for his or her preparation in the suspect’s absence, due to the scope of the Prosecution’s allegations, and the potential voluminous amount of material that the Prosecution is likely to disclose in this case.