Proceedings in the trial of Bosco Ntaganda at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have remained closed to the public this week. Today, judges heard the testimony of Witness P005 and Witness P108, both of whom testified via video link from a confidential location. According to a January 3, 2017 ruling on their remote appearance, the witnesses suffer from “serious health conditions” that prevented them from travelling to The Hague to testify.

Witness P005, who started testifying in the trial last Thursday, was said to be recovering from an undisclosed medical condition. Moreover, according to the court’s Victims and Witnesses Section, he had limited mobility and had been advised by a doctor to avoid exhausting activities.

For his part, Witness P108 was said to be of advanced age, has previously suffered undisclosed injuries, and is currently undergoing treatment for an ailment not made public. He took the stand yesterday and concluded his testimony today.

Ntaganda, a former Congolese rebel leader, is on trial at the ICC for 18 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, allegedly committed by himself and his soldiers during 2002 and 2003 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Ituri district.

Witness P005 is scheduled to continue his testimony tomorrow morning.