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The warrants of arrest in this case were issued under seal on 8 July 2005 and unsealed on 13 October 2005. The suspect Joseph Kony is still at large. While the case originally involved Raska Lukwiya, Okot Odhiambo and Vincent Otti, proceedings against them were terminated due to their passing.
On 23 November 2023, Pre-Trial Chamber II issued a preliminary decision on the Prosecutor’s Request to hold a confirmation of charges hearing in Mr Kony’s absence. The Prosecutor filed the Document Containing the Charges on 19 January 2024. On 4 March 2024, Pre-Trial Chamber II issued a decision on the Prosecutor’s request to hold a confirmation of charges hearing in the case against Joseph Kony in the suspect’s absence, should he not appear, and set the date for this hearing, to commence on 15 October 2024.
On 12 September 2024, Pre-Trial Chamber postponed the commencement of the confirmation hearing scheduled for 15 October 2024, following the Defence, Prosecution, and Office of the Public Counsel for Victims observations. On 29 October 2024, Pre-Trial Chamber III issued a decision concluding that all the requirements to hold a confirmation of charges hearing in the absence of the suspect Joseph Kony are now met.
On 17 April 2025, the Office of the Prosecutor submitted an Amended Document Containing the Charges. According to it, Joseph Kony is suspected of 39 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, allegedly committed between at least 1 July 2002 until 31 December 2005 in northern Uganda.
The confirmation of charges hearing in the Kony case took place on 9 and 10 September 2025 at the seat of the Court in The Hague. The hearing was held in the absence of the suspect, who was represented by Defence Counsel Peter Haynes, KC. On 6 November 2025, Pre-Trial Chamber III confirmed all the 39 charges brought by the Prosecutor in the Kony case and committed Mr Kony to trial before a Trial Chamber.
Next steps: Although the charges are confirmed, this trial would require Mr Kony to be present before the ICC as trials cannot be held in the suspect’s absence, according to the ICC Rome Statute, the Court’s founding treaty.
Document containing the charges – Office of the Prosecutor, 19 January 2024
Amended Document Containing the Charges – Office of the Prosecutor, 17 April 2025
Decision on the Prosecution’s request to hold a confirmation of charges hearing in the Kony case in the suspect’s absence’ – Pre-Trial Chamber II, 23 November 2023
Second decision on the Prosecution’s request to hold a confirmation of charges hearing in the Kony case in the suspect’s absence – Pre-Trial Chamber II, 4 March 2024
Decision on the criteria for holding confirmation of charges proceedings in absentia – Pre-Trial Chamber III, 29 October 2024
Judgment on the appeal of Mr Joseph Kony against the decision of Pre-Trial Chamber III of 29 October 2024 entitled “Decision on the criteria for holding confirmation of charges proceedings in absentia” – Appeals Chamber, 3 June 2025
The trial began on 6 December 2016. The Prosecution and the Defence have completed the presentation of their evidence. The Legal Representatives of Victims also called witnesses to appear before the Chamber. On 12 December 2019, the presiding judge declared the closure of the submission of evidence in the case. The closing briefs were filed on 24 February 2020. The closing statements took place from 10 to 12 March 2020. On 4 February 2021, Trial Chamber IX, composed of Judge Bertram Schmitt (Presiding), Judge Peter Kovacs and Judge Raul C. Pangalangan, found Dominic Ongwen guilty for a total of 61 crimes comprising crimes against humanity and war crimes, committed in Northern Uganda between 1 July 2002 and 31 December 2005. On 6 May 2021, Trial Chamber IX sentenced Dominic Ongwen to 25 years of imprisonment.
On 15 December 2022, the Appeals Chamber confirmed the decisions of Trial Chamber IX on Dominic Ongwen’s guilt and sentence. On 18 December 2023, Mr Ongwen was transferred to Norway to serve his sentence of imprisonment.
On 28 February 2024, Trial Chamber IX delivered its Order on Reparations to victims. On 7 April 2025, the Appeals Chamber rejected Mr Dominic Ongwen’s appeal against the Order on Reparations and confirmed the Trial Chamber’s decision.