ICC Formally Charges Former DRC Rebel

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has formally begun the trial of former DRC rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba at the Hague. Bemba made his first appearance before the ICC court Friday, charged with five counts of war crimes and three others of crimes against humanity, which his rebel forces allegedly committed under his command between 2002 and 2003. The former DRC Vice President was arrested in Brussels, Belgium, at the behest of the ICC. [PE]