(Koen Van Well/Pool photo via AP, File)THE HAGUE – Two alleged leaders of a predominantly Christian rebel group in the Central African Republic pleaded not guilty Tuesday to multiple counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity as their trial opened at the International Criminal Court.
AdTuesday's trial is the first at the global court that focuses on the violence that erupted after the Seleka seized power in the Central African Republic in 2013, forcing President Francois Bozize into exile.
Ad“A justice void has fueled repeated violence in the Central African Republic, with a new wave of attacks in just the past two months.
AdThe Central African Republic government asked the ICC in May 2014 to investigate crimes allegedly committed by both the Seleka and the anti-Balaka.
Last month, the first alleged Seleka rebel arrested on an ICC warrant was handed to the court.