25.01.14 – WEEKLY SUMMARY – ICC POSTPONES KENYAN PRESIDENT’S TRIAL

Arusha, January 25, 2014 (FH) – In The Hague, the International Criminal Court (ICC) this week postponed indefinitely the trial of Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta. Meanwhile in Rwanda the trial of Pentecostal pastor Jean Uwinkindi, the first detainee transferred by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), was also postponed to February 12.

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ICC/DRCCourt orders witness repatriation: The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court on Monday ordered the repatriation of three Congolese witnesses who had requested asylum in the Netherlands after testifying before the ICC. The three testified in 2011 in the trial of former militia leader Mathieu Ngudjolo, who was acquitted by the lower court and is now awaiting a final decision following an appeal by the Prosecutor. The Court deems that the ICC cannot serve as a detention centre for asylum seekers.

ICC/KENYAKenyatta trial postponed: The ICC on Thursday postponed indefinitely the crimes against humanity trial of Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta, thus granting a request from the Prosecutor. The trial had been scheduled to start on February 5. But on December 12, Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda asked for a three-month delay, following the withdrawal of two prosecution witnesses.

RWANDA/JUSTICEStart of Uwinkindi trial delayed again: After a year of delays, the trial of Pentecostal pastor Jean Uwinkindi was on Wednesday postponed again to February 12, following submissions by the defence. Uwinkindi, who is charged with genocide and extermination, was transferred to Rwanda in April 2012 by the ICTR. 

NEXT WEEKThe joint trial of Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto and journalist Joshua Sang continues next week before the ICC with the testimony of prosecution witnesses.

ER/JC