Former CAR military chief released by ICC

[{"selector":"#anim-75966147-8c59-4d47-9cea-9e83daf31985 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-0.006569976011101449%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] The International Criminal Court said on Thursday that it had released a former militia leader in the Central African Republic and is dropping all charges against him.

[{"selector":"#anim-f9f37946-16b9-49ff-bdf6-245dfeef0e5c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Maxime Mokom had faced charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity over alleged atrocities committed against Muslim civilians in the CAR by his self-proclaimed self-defence militias in 2013 and 2014.

[{"selector":"#anim-ebdb2498-e428-4584-b988-c290c37643f5 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-54.4521710123527%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] The ICC's prosecutor Karim Khan said his office had concluded there were "no longer any reasonable prospects of conviction even if the charges were confirmed".

[{"selector":"#anim-ee9a6e96-2203-402b-b2c1-9f0417d80fcb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-35.937499914669296%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] He said the decision was taken after considering all the evidence and "changed circumstances regarding the availability of witnesses".

[{"selector":"#anim-27d81a2a-e0ee-40c2-9b65-cbacf642821d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-30.417968631176993%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Mokom, who was released on Tuesday, has denied all involvement in the bloodshed, telling ICC judges in August he was "dedicated to the search for peace".

[{"selector":"#anim-2c4ab4ac-05e1-4e9c-a60d-b3a22d877a4c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-33.20895512199319%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] The charges Mokom had faced included directing attacks against the civilian population, murder, rape and pillage.

[{"selector":"#anim-16706fcc-c800-4025-8d68-5e966f96387d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] For more such interesting stuff click here swipe up