ICC
Four out of six Kenyan officials face trial: On Monday, the ICC confirmed charges of crimes against humanity for Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, former Education Minister William Ruto, Cabinet Secretary Francis Muthaura and Journalist Joshua Sang for their alleged role in 2007-2008 post-electoral violence. The court did not confirm charges against former police Chief Hussein Ali and ex-Industry Minister Henry Kosgey, for lack of evidence. But the Court's ruling was not unanimous, with one judge dissenting. He contested, among others, the nature of the crimes and expressed the view that they fell within the competence of Kenyan courts. Following the ICC ruling, Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki directed the Attorney General to form a committee to advice the government on the way forward. Already Kenyatta has resigned from the ministerial post, while Muthaura also followed suit.
ICTR
Trial Chamber accepts corrected indictment for Rwandan pastor: A Trial Chamber Monday approved the amended indictment for Rwandan Pastor Jean Uwinkindi, paving way for his transfer to Rwanda for trial not later than February 23. Three days later, the ICTR President had ruled that Uwinkindi, who is charged with genocide and extermination, as a crime against humanity, would be taken to Rwanda within 30 days of endorsement of the new indictment. The ruling by the president brought to the end a debate by the prosecutor and registrar of the Tribunal over effective transfer of the accused. The prosecutor had accused the registrar of unnecessarily trying to delay the process on grounds that there were some technical issues that were required to be sorted out first.
RWANDA/CANADA
Canada deports Mugesera to Rwanda: Rwandan scholar Leon Mugesera arrived in Kigali on Tuesday night after being deported from Canada. His last appeal to challenge his deportation he had been fighting for about 16 years was dismissed a day before by a Canadian court. He is accused of making a speech allegedly incited the killings of Tutsis during the 1994 genocide. Rwandan authorities have described the move as a sign of progress in the Rwandan justice system.
FK/NI/ER/GF
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