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Franck Mulenda, a legal representative for 140 victims in the case, welcomed the sentence. "It is very important. It consoles the victims," he said outside court. The court should now order reparations for former child soldiers, "so they can get back their education and their place in society," Mulenda said. Fulford criticized former chief prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo for not bringing charges of sexual violence against Lubanga or presenting evidence of such crimes at a sentencing hearing last month. Rights activists say Lubanga's militia and other warring parties in Ituri engaged in widespread rape. The judge also praised Lubanga for being "respectful and cooperative" throughout the case despite it twice being held up by prosecutors defying court orders linked to identifying witnesses. Lubanga's sister, Angele Zasi, insisted on his innocence. "We (the family) are very disappointed by the judgment of the court. Everyone knows that my brother is innocent of all that they reproach him," Zasi said.
Congo's Information Minister Lambert Mende said he thought the sentence was not harsh enough but added, "it is a punishment and I believe that it will haunt him for the rest of his life."
[Associated
Press;
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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