APA-Nairobi (Kenya) A former Ugandan warlord convicted by the International Criminal Court will serve his jail term in Norway, APA can report from Kampala on Monday.
Dominic Ongwen was transferred to a prison facility in the Nordic country to serve his sentence of imprisonment.
Mr Ongwen is the fifth person transferred by the ICC to a state willing to accept sentenced persons.
On 9 November 2023, the Presidency of the ICC designated Norway as the state of enforcement for the sentence of imprisonment of Mr Ongwen.
This is pursuant to article 103 of the Rome Statute.
The ICC Presidency noted that the enforcement of the sentence of imprisonment shall be subject to the supervision of the court and shall be consistent with widely accepted international standards governing the treatment of prisoners.
The transfer of Mr Ongwen to Norway occurred with the close cooperation of the Norwegian authorities and the support of the Dutch authorities.
The ICC relies on the support from states for the enforcement of its sentences and is highly appreciative of the voluntary cooperation of Norway in this case.
On 4 February 2021, Trial Chamber IX 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.
Ongwen 48, is a former child soldier and led a division of the Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army.
On 6 May 2021, Trial Chamber IX sentenced Dominic Ongwen to 25 years of imprisonment.
On 15 December 2022, the Appeals Chamber upheld the decisions of Trial Chamber IX on Dominic Ongwen’s guilt and sentence.
The conviction and the sentence are now final. A phase dedicated to the reparations to victims is ongoing.
WN/as/APA