THE HAGUE, 16 February, 2021 (TON): Lord’s Resistance Army Commander Dominic Ongwen’s defense lawyer said the client will appeal the 4 February ruling of the ICC (International Criminal Court) that found him guilty of 61 war crimes against humanity.

The lawyer, Krispus Ayena Odongo argued that Ongwen was a victim who was abducted when he was 9 years old and forcibly conscripted along the LRA ranks raising questions about his mental abilities.

She questions and wants to challenge various parts of the ruling considering his imprisonment and abducted when he was 9 years old, and also his wife’s word on forced marriage.

The lawyer argues that the wife’s testimony should not be used to determine the case’s outcome since it is against the law that an ex-wife cannot stand against the estranged husband.

“Ongwen can only fully and meaningfully participate in his appeal with an Acholi translation of the judgment because he is a special needs person with mental disabilities, and requires adequate time and resources to communicate with and instruct his Counsel,” the statement from the council read.

The defense prosecutor also challenged the language of the document that the court needs to present Mr. Ongwen with a translated 1077 page judgment in Acholi language for he is illiterate and cannot comprehend English.