Bemba's war crimes appeal rejected

An appeals panel at the International Criminal Court has rejected former Congolese vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba’s bid to have charges against him dismissed for rape, murder and pillage.

Bemba is accused of commanding a militia responsible for atrocities in Central African Republic in 2002-2003. He argued that the charges were inadmissible because authorities in Central African Republic had investigated the allegations and decided not to prosecute him.