International Court dismisses case of Darfur rebel

Bahar Idriss Abu Garda had been accused of planning and participating in an attack on an African Union peace mission in Sudan's Darfur region in 2007 that killed 12 international troops.

Had it gone to trial, the case would have been a milestone in imposing international justice on the brutal Darfur conflict and would have tested international law that attacking noncombatant peace forces is a war crime.

Abu Garda was charged with three war crimes stemming from the assault on the Haskanita military camp, which prompted the African Union to suspend its mission.

The judges of the International Criminal Court said they were not satisfied that the prosecution had a viable case against Abu Garda, and they declined to confirm the charges against him.

They said the case could be reopened if the prosecution provides more evidence.