DR Congo warlord guilty in war crimes court's first verdict

Lubanga was found guilty of conscripting and enlisting children under 15 and using them in hostilities. By Michael Kooren (AFP/File)

THE HAGUE (AFP) - The International Criminal Court convicted Congolese militia boss Thomas Lubanga of war crimes on Wednesday for using children in his rebel army, in the tribunal's first verdict since its launch.

"The chamber reached its decision unanimously that the prosecution has proved Thomas Lubanga guilty of crimes of conscription and enlisting children under the age of 15 and used them to participate in hostilities," presiding Judge Adrian Fulford told the Hague-based court, set up in 2002.