Investigator: Congo massacre witnesses are threatened, court not sure it can protect them

Report: Congo massacre witnesses were threatened

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A senior investigator says witnesses testifying against two Congolese warlords at the International Criminal Court have been threatened and the court does not have the resources to fully protect them.

The investigator spoke on the second day of the trial of warlords Germain Katanga and Mathieu Ngudjolo, who are accused of planning and directing a massacre of more than 200 villagers in eastern Congo in February 2003.

Both men have pleaded not guilty to three counts of crimes against humanity and seven war crimes including murder, rape, pillage, sexual slavery and using child soldiers.

The investigator is testifying Wednesday as the first witness to outline how her team built its case against Katanga and Ngudjolo. Her identity is being shielded in court.