DRC war crimes suspect to stay in custody

THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- The International Criminal Court at The Hague says a former Democratic Republic of Congo official will remain in custody until his war crimes trial.

The criminal court's appeals chamber ruled that former Congolese Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo must remain in custody in order to ensure his appearance at his upcoming war crimes and crimes against humanity trial, the United Nations said in a release Thursday.

Gombo had initially been granted a temporary release with conditions in August. The former senior DRC official is accused of committing war crimes in 2002 and 2003 in the Central African Republic.

ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo fought to have the temporary release order appealed on grounds Gombo may flee ahead of his trial. The date of the trial was not reported.

Moreno-Ocampo also voiced concerns that if granted his temporary freedom, Gombo could potentially target witnesses set to testify in his trial.