Congolese former vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba and his defence team bribed witnesses to lie in his favour at a war crimes trial that ended in the highest ranking conviction by the International Criminal Court, judges ruled on Wednesday. The court said 14 key witnesses had been coached about what to say, and found Bemba and four other defendants guilty of conspiring to present false evidence to the court. "Today's judgment sends the clear message that the court is not willing to allow its proceedings to be hampered or destroyed." Those convicted face sentences of up to five years, or a fine, or both. The four others convicted include Jean-Jacques Mangenda Kabongo, a member of Bemba's legal team; and Fidele Babala Wandu, a politician and close associate of Bemba.

Source: The Star October 19, 2016 16:18 UTC