on 17 May and became the first person ever to appear voluntarily before the ICC. Abu Garda denied all the charges against him and claimed to be the victim of a dispute between the URF and the JEM, which has said it helped to collect evidence against him. He said "I am looking forward to clear my name from this case because I am sure ... that absolutely I am not guilty". After his initial appearance before the court on 18 May 2009, he left the Netherlands to return to his soldiers. The hearing to confirm the charges against him took place from 19–29 October 2009, and ended on 8 February and 23 April 2010 with the charges being dropped and the Prosecutor's appeal against this being rejected. References External links The Prosecutor v. Bahr Idriss Abu Garda — public court records relating to the ICC trial Video footage of Abu Garda's initial appearance before the ICC 1963 births Living people People of the War in Darfur People indicted by the International Criminal Court People indicted for war crimes People from North Darfur Sudanese military personnel