France, Sept. 8 -- The International Criminal Court will open hearings against fugitive Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony, in a landmark step for international justice nearly two decades after issuing its first-ever arrest warrant for him.

On Tuesday, judges in The Hague will examine 39 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity against Kony, including murder, torture, rape, sexual slavery and pillaging.

The proceedings, known as a confirmation of charges hearing, will be the court's first ever in absentia.

Although ICC rules forbid full trials without the accused present, prosecutors argue the hearings are critical to ensure a trial can proceed swiftly should Jospeph Kony finally be caught.

They also say that bringing his alleged cri...