ICC rejects Ruto bid to be tried in Kenya
PHOTO | PHOEBE OKALL | FILE Deputy President William Ruto (L) and President Uhuru Kenyatta (R) at a past event.
What you need to know:
- This brings to an end unconfirmed reports which had indicated that the judges will settle on Kenya as the venue for the opening of the trials for two weeks before shifting back to The Hague in Netherlands.
Deputy President William Ruto will have to travel to The Hague for the beginning of the trial of the charges of crimes against humanity arising from the 2007/8 post election violence.
Monday, 18 judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) voted against Mr Ruto’s application to be tried in Kenya or in Arusha Tanzania.
A short statement released by the ICC stated that the judges had turned down a recommendation by their colleagues at the Trial Chamber hearing the case against the Deputy President and former Kass FM Radio presenter Joshua arap Sang.
“ICC Ruto trials will take place in The Hague. The judges plenary declined the recommendation to hold the trials in Kenya or Arusha,” a statement sent by ICC’s Outreach Coordinator for Kenya and Uganda Maria Kamara stated.
This brings to an end unconfirmed reports which had indicated that the judges will settle on Kenya as the venue for the opening of the trials for two weeks before shifting back to The Hague in Netherlands.
Ms Kamara said the details of the vote were not yet out and will be communicated to the affected parties later.
“The deliberations were done closed door and details are not meant for the public. Only the outcome has been communicated. A vote of 12 judges would have guaranteed Mr Ruto the pleasure of being tried in Kenya or Tanzania in line with the ICC procedures," said Ms Kamara.
“In order to change the location of the trials, a two thirds majority is needed. The decision today (yesterday) indicates this was not reached,” she said.
