The Congolese businessman became vice president of the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2003.
But the year before, when he was a rebel leader, Bemba is accused of failing to stop his private army - known as the MLC - from waging a campaign of rape, murder and pillage against civilians in neighbouring Central African Republic.
The former Congolese rebel leader was given 18 years in jail in what was hailed as a landmark ruling.
Al Jazeera's Mereana Hond reports.
