Filter by defendant:
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