The DRC ratified the Rome Statute (the founding instrument of the International Criminal Court), on 11 April 2002. On 3 March 2004, the Government of the DRC referred to the Court the situation. After a preliminary analysis, the Prosecutor initiated an investigation into the situation on 21 June 2004.
Following investigation into crimes allegedly committed in the Ituri District since 1 July 2002, the Prosecution filed an application for the issuance of a warrant of arrest for Bosco Ntaganda on 12 January 2006.
On 13 July 2012, the Pre-Trial Chamber II issued a second arrest warrant for Ntaganda, based on an application for a second warrant by the Prosecution of 14 May 2012.
On 22 March 2013, Bosco Ntaganda surrendered himself voluntarily to the Court. His preliminary hearing took place on 26 March 2013 before one of the Pre-Trial Chambers of the International Criminal Court.
The confirmation of charges hearing in the case was held in February 2014. The Chamber confirmed the charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity on 9 June 2014. His responsibility was considered on the basis of different modes of liability for altogether 18 charges, including 5 counts of crimes against humanity and 13 counts of war crimes.
The trial of Ntaganda opened on 2 September 2015 before the Trial Chamber of the ICC. The Chamber heard over 100 witnesses and experts during 248 hearings, as well as five victims who presented their views and concerns.
On 8 July 2019, Trial Chamber VI found Mr Bosco Ntaganda guilty, beyond reasonable doubt, of 18 counts of war crimes (murder, attempted murder, targeting attacks against civilian population, rape, sexual enslavement, ordering the displacement of civilian population, enrolment and conscription of children under 15 years, attacks against protected property and destruction of the property of the enemy) and crimes against humanity (murder and attempted murder, rape, sexual enslavement, persecution, forced transfer of the population and deportation) committed in Ituri, DRC, in 2002-2003. The Chamber established his responsibility directly for murder as a crime against humanity and a war crime and persecution as a crime against humanity. For the other charges, the Chamber found his responsibility as an indirect perpetrator.
Pending the decision on sentencing, Ntaganda remains in detention.