The International Criminal Court has ordered the release of former
Congolese militia leader Thomas Lubanga following a delay in his trial.
Prosecutors have been given five days to appeal his release.
Lubanga
is accused of using child soldiers in clashes involving his Union of
Congolese Patriots militia during 2002 and 2003 in the Democratic
Republic of Congo's Ituri district.
Lubanga's trial was
suspended last month after the court ruled that prosecutors inhibited
his defense team by refusing to share documents that could help
establish his innocence.
Some four million people were killed in
conflict or by disease and hunger during Congo's civil war from 1998 to
2003. Militia and rebel groups continue to be active in parts of
eastern Congo, mainly North Kivu province.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
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