**The trial of two alleged Congolese militia leaders charged with war crimes is due to begin at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.**Germain Katanga and Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui are accused of directing an attack on a village in 2003 in which more than 200 people were killed.
They face charges of ordering attacks on civilians, sexual slavery, rape, and enlisting child soldiers.
Both deny the charges and have expressed sympathy for the victims.
It is only the second trial at the ICC in The Hague. The first case - of Congolese militia leader Thomas Lubanga - began in 2008 but has been delayed by legal argument.
ICC TRIAL
- Germain Katanga: Born 28 April 1978 in Mambassa, Ituri District. Alleged commander of Patriotic Resistance Force of Iture (FRPI)
- Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui: Born 8 October 1970 in Bunia, Ituri District. Alleged leader of National Integrationist Front (FNI)
- ICC charges: War crimes include wilful killing, sexual slavery, attacking civilians, pillaging and using child soldiers. Charged with murder and inhuman treatment.
Prosecutors say Germain Katanga and Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui led two groups of child soldiers and militiamen who laid waste to Bogoro village in the mineral-rich Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Many victims were hacked to death with machetes while women were raped and killed or taken as sexual slaves by their attackers, according to the charges.
Chief prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo has said that the conflict in Ituri was part of a civil war that raged in DR Congo following the 1994 genocide in neighbouring Rwanda.
Prosecutors plan to call 26 witnesses although 21 of them will testify hidden from public view for fear of reprisals.
The trial is expected to take several months.