Horse-loving prosecutor who strikes fear

When Louis Moreno-Ocampo is away from his family, horses and farm in Argentina, he is scrutinising evidence at The Hague or travelling across the world to convince governments to enforce the Rome Statute.

This has become routine for the Argentine lawyer with the short, greying beard and Groucho Marx eyebrows that are almost always in motion — a reminder of the keenness, vigilance and rhythm in his work.

Mr Moreno-Ocampo has been variously described as the prosecutor without borders, the world’s lawman and crime fighter. No doubt, given the scope of his job, Mr Moreno-Ocampo is easily the most powerful prosecutor in the world.

‘Sexy court’

When he was elected ICC prosecutor in 2003, he promised a “sexy court” that would dispense “swift and telegenic justice.” This, perhaps, explains why his statements over the trial of post-election violence suspects and arrival in Kenya yesterday has attracted the whole country’s attention.

Despite the criticism levelled at his office, Mr Moreno-Ocampo cuts the image of a resolute prosecutor ready to bring down even the untouchable in his effort to slay impunity. He has vowed to use Kenya as a world example on how to fight impunity.

And despite weak enforcement mechanisms — the ICC does not have a police unit to effect arrests — the prosecutor seems totally convinced he will deliver on his job. “I’m a stateless prosecutor — I have 100 states under my jurisdiction and zero policemen,” he told The New York Times early this year.

In Mr Moreno-Ocampo rests the hopes of post-election violence victims. On the other hand, the mere mention of his name evokes fear and resentment for those responsible for the violence which killed 1,133 Kenyans and displaced thousands. In a TV interview this week, Mr Moreno-Ocampo indicated that he will prosecute at least four high-profile Kenyans.

And if his record is anything to go by, there is certainly convincing evidence that the violence barons will have their day at the ICC. Mr Moreno-Ocampo has always been enthusiastic about taking on the rich and powerful. Already, he has secured an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and is leading the prosecution of Congolese militia strongman Thomas Lubanga.