24.01.12 - ICC/KENYA - PROSECUTOR WON'T APPEAL AGAINST KENYANS ALI AND KOSGEY

The Hague, January 24, 2012 (FH) - Luis Moreno Ocampo will not appeal the International Criminal court's decision to decline to confirm the charges against Kenyans Henry Kosgey and Mohammad Hussein Ali.

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« We will keep investigating Kosgey and the activities of the police as well (...) We will not appeal the decision », ICC's Prosecutor declared during a Press conference on Monday evening.

Ocampo also stated that the ICC pre-trial chamber's decision to send cases to trial against four other Kenyans was "establishing individual responsibility for the post electoral violence but also for a peaceful Kenya".

The ICC on January 23rd confirmed crimes against humanity charges against four out of the six Kenyans accused in connection with post-electoral violence in 2007-2008. They include Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and former Education Minister William Ruto, who both intend to run for the next presidential elections in 2013. The court also confirmed charges against cabinet secretary Francis Muthaura and Kass FM journalist Joshua Sang.

"Kenya must decide on the candidates for the upcoming election and seize the opportunity to discuss the way forward and invest in the future". Ocampo noted.

"ICC intervention is helping Kenya to move to a more peaceful future with no costs. In 2008, Kofi Annan helped establish peace in Kenya but what would be the cost of another post election violence in Kenya? More lives lost, more people displaced and not to mention millions in money", he added.

Luis Moreno Ocampo did not request that the four accused be arrested.

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