BUKAVU, DR Congo: Prosecutors are demanding jail terms ranging from 20 years to life against militiamen accused of raping dozens of children, including a baby, in eastern DR Congo, plaintiffs said on Tuesday. Eighteen men, including provincial lawmaker Frederic Batumike, have been on trial since November 9 in Kavumu, in the troubled eastern province of South Kivu.
"The prosecution yesterday demanded punishment ranging from 20 years’ jail to life for most of the accused, except for four for whom it requested acquittal," Charles Cubaka Cicura, speaking on behalf of a group of lawyers representing the victims, told AFP. The defendants are suspected of belonging to a militia group called "Djeshi ya Yesu" -- meaning "Army of Jesus" in Swahili -- led by Batumike.
About 40 children, ranging from babies aged just eight months to a 12-year-old girl, were kidnapped and raped between 2013 and 2016. Many of the assaults happened at night, according to Congolese surgeon Denis Mukwege, who sounded the alarm.
The World Meteorological Organisation flag. — AFP FileGENEVA: Global temperatures hit record highs last year, and...
This image shows the outside view of the U.S. Senate. — AFP/FileWASHINGTON: Billions of dollars in foreign aid for...
Each year, many African migrants brave the perilous “Eastern Route” across the Red Sea and through war-scarred...
State Department US building can be seen in this picture. — AFP/FileWASHINGTON: The U.S. State Department’s annual...
Former US president Donald Trump. — AFP/FileNEW YORK: The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s criminal hush money...
Abortion-rights activists hold a protest on in Phoenix, USA. — AFP/File WASHINGTON: The idea of a doctor in the...