Updated

The International Criminal Court has refused to release a Congo rebel leader nicknamed "The Terminator" from pre-trial detention.

In a 3-2 decision, judges rejected on Wednesday Bosco Ntaganda's appeal against a decision to keep him in custody while the court considers whether he should stand trial on 13 charges, including murder, rape, persecution and using child soldiers.

Ntaganda showed no emotion as Judge Sanji Mmasenono Monageng rejected his appeal.

Ntaganda's alleged crimes took place in 2002-2003 in Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo, where he served as a top leader in the Union of Congolese Patriots under Thomas Lubanga.

He was only brought to the court last year after another rebel group he joined, M23, splintered and he fled to Rwanda, taking refuge in the U.S. Embassy before being deported.