Part 3/7:
An important facet of the defense’s argument rests on the idea of duress. They posit that the LRA’s internal structure subjected Oywen and others to extreme pressure to conform to Kony’s demands, effectively painting a picture of a coerced soldier acting under supernatural beliefs that Kony wielded immense spiritual power.
Prosecutorial Position
Countering the defense, the prosecution acknowledges Ongwen's abduction but staunchly argues that being a victim does not absolve him of responsibility for his later actions. They draw parallels to other legal contexts, claiming that many who commit crimes often come from troubled pasts; however, these pasts do not render them immune from accountability.