People detained by the International Criminal Court (ICC) are held in the ICC's detention centre, which is located within a Dutch prison in Scheveningen, The Hague. The ICC was established in 2002 as a permanent tribunal to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.United Nations Department of Public Information (December 2002). The International Criminal Court. Retrieved on July 7, 2008. As of June 2018, it has issued public arrest warrants for 42 individuals, six of whom are currently in custody of the court.
The ICC detention centre is only for holding people who have been charged by the ICC before and during their trials. Those found guilty are (after any appeals process is concluded) transferred to prisons in countries which have agreed to carry out ICC sentences, of which the Netherlands is not one.
Detention centre
The ICC currently has twelve detention cells in a Dutch prison in Scheveningen, The Hague.Emma Thomasson (February 28, 2006). ICC says cells ready for Uganda war crimes suspects . Reuters. Retrieved on July 7, 2008. Suspects held by the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals are held in the same prison and share some facilities, like the fitness room, but have no contact with suspects held by the ICC.
The ICC registrar is responsible for managing the detention centre. The rules governing detainment are contained in Chapter 6 of the Regulations of the CourtInternational Criminal Court (May 26, 2004). , Chapter 6. Retrieved on July 7, 2008. and Chapter 5 of the Regulations of the Registry.International Criminal Court (September 25, 2006). , Chapter 5. Retrieved on July 7, 2008. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has unrestricted access to the detention centre.International Criminal Court (March 29, 2006). , Article 4. Retrieved on July 7, 2008.
Facilities Each individual has their own toilet and washing area.International Criminal Court (April 2006). FAQ about detention put to Terry Jackson, Chief Custody Officer of the ICC . ICC Newsletter No. 7. Retrieved on July 7, 2008. Each has access to a small gym and is offered training with a physical education instructor.
Detainees are provided with meals, but they may also cook for themselves, purchase food from the prison shop, and have ingredients ordered in. However, Charles Taylor's lawyers have complained that "the food which is served is completely Eurocentric and not palatable to the African palate".
Each detainee has a personal computer in their cell, on which they can view material related to their case. A specific computer is designated to the defence, where they can upload case-related material for the detainee to view and comment on.International Criminal Court (2007). . Retrieved on July 7, 2008. They are offered computer training, if required, and language courses. Additionally, detainees are given access to fresh air, recreational and sports activities, as well as television and news.
Detainees' rights Detainees are allowed to communicate in private with their defense teams and diplomatic representatives of their countries of origin. They are permitted visits from family members, spouses and partners, and spiritual advisors.
List of detainees The following table lists all the people who have been held at the ICC detention centre since it was established in 2006. The first person detained by the court was Thomas Lubanga, who arrived at the detention centre on March 17, 2006.International Criminal Court (March 17, 2006). First arrest for the International Criminal Court . Retrieved on July 7, 2008.
Three former prisoners have been released or transferred, including Charles Taylor, who was tried in the Special Court for Sierra Leone. His trial was held at the ICC's facilities in The Hague because of political and security concerns about holding the trial in Freetown.Alexandra Hudson (May 31, 2007). Warlord Taylor's home is lonely Dutch prison. Reuters. Retrieved on July 7, 2008.BBC News (June 20, 2006). Q&A: Trying Charles Taylor. Retrieved on July 7, 2008.
Name Image Arrived Departed Notes Ref. Sentence of 14 years' imprisonment. On 19 December 2015, he was transferred to a prison facility in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to serve his sentence of imprisonment. Tried by the Special Court for Sierra Leone, transferred to the United Kingdom to serve his sentence of 50 years' imprisonment. Sentence of 12 years' imprisonment. On 13 November 2015, the Appeals Chamber reduced his sentence. The date for the completion of the sentence is set to 18 January 2016. On 19 December 2015, Germain Katanga was transferred to a prison facility in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to serve his sentence of imprisonment. Released following acquittal; appeal confirming previous sentence Sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment as of 21 June 2016. His war crimes conviction was overturned on June 8, 2018. He has one appeal remaining regarding witness tampering. Released following dismissal of charges Acquitted of charges. He was released conditionally on February 1, 2019, to reside in Belgium, because prosecutors appealed after his initial acquittal. Verdict was confirmed in 2021, and Gbagbo returned to Côte d'Ivoire on 17 June 2021. Found guilty of 18 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. He was transferred to Belgian prison on 14 December 2022. Case in appeal stage Case closed. He was sentenced in total to 6 months’ imprisonment. Case in appeal stage Case closed Acquitted of charges. He was conditionally released, as prosecutors appealed against verdict. After confirmation of his acquittal in 2021, he returned to Côte d'Ivoire on 26 November 2022. 18 December 2023 Sentence of 25 years' imprisonment. Found guilty of 61 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The appeals chamber confirmed the guilt and verdict on 15 December 2022. Transferred to a Norwegian prison on 18 December 2023. Pleaded guilty; sentenced to nine years' imprisonment on September 27, 2016. Transferred to a UK prison on May 3, 2019. Situation in the Republic of Mali: The Prosecutor v. Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi (last updated August 24, 2016).Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi: The vandal of Timbuktu, BBC News (September 27, 2016).Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi transferred to UK prison facility to serve sentence. — Convicted of all but 3 charges on 26 June 2024, subsequently sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment. Remains in ICC custody as the court has yet to determine where the sentence will be served. — Convicted of various charges on 24 July 2025, sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment. Appeal pending. — Convicted of various charges on 24 July 2025, sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment. Appeal pending. Ali Kushayb — Convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity on 6 October 2025. Sentenced 9 December 2025 to 20 years' imprisonment. Appeal pending. Died on 27 September 2022; proceedings withdrawn on 14 October 2022. — Convicted of 4 counts of crimes against humanity 23 September 2026; sentencing pending. Released after charges were withdrawn – Arrested and transferred to ICC custody the next day. Trial scheduled to begin on 30 November 2026. - Case in pre-trial stage.
See also List of people indicted by the International Criminal Court
References