A Pre-Trial Chamber at the ICC rejected the Kenyan Government's challenges to the admissibility of the two cases involving its officials charged with crimes against humanity in respect of the 2007 post-election violence.
The officials are Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Uhuru Kenyatta, Head of Civil Service, Francis Muthaura and former Police Chief, Mohammed Hussein Ali. Others include former Education Minister, William Ruto, former Minister for Industrialization, Henry Kosgey and journalist, Joshua Arap Sang.
After careful analysis, the Chamber considered that the applications do not provide concrete evidence of ongoing proceedings before national judges, against the same persons suspected of committing crimes falling under the ICC's jurisdiction.
The Court also within this week postponed to August 17, 2011 the hearing of confirmation of charges in the case of Callixte Mbarushimana, a Rwandese rebel, who faces charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Whereas the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), adjourned to June 13, 2011 the special deposition proceedings in the case most wanted genocide-fugitive Félicien Kabuga, who is charged with conspiracy to commit genocide, genocide, complicity in genocide and direct and public incitement to commit genocide, among others.
The prosecution has already called seven witnesses since the commencement of the proceedings on May 23, 2011. About 44 witnesses are expected to testify in the proceedings presided over by Judge Vagn Joensen in total closed session.
Before the ICTR there was also continuation of defence hearing in the case of former Rwandan military officer, Captain Idelphonse Nizeyimana, and three witnesses testified for him. The trial continues Monday.
FK/ER/GF
© Hirondelle News Agency