ICC issues deadline in bid to name witnesses
International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo. The Prosecution in the Kenyan cases at the International Criminal Court has been asked to make submissions on protection of witnesses by August 13. June 7, 2012. FILE
Prosecutors in the Kenyan cases at the International Criminal Court have been asked to make submissions to determine whether names of witnesses will be released to defence lawyers by August 13.
The Trial Chamber V has also asked the defence and victims’ lawyers to file their responses to the prosecution request within 21 days from the day the request is filed.
The judges have also asked former head of civil service Francis Muthaura to make a written application of his request that the prosecution should be required to produce signed statements of the witnesses it intends to call.
“The Chamber notes that the prosecution intends to seek a ruling from the Chamber regarding the permissible scope of witness preparation. The prosecution is requested to file its written submissions on this issue not later than 13 August 2012,” the judges led by Mr Kuniko Ozaki said on Wednesday.
The prosecution has been reluctant to disclose the identity of its witnesses saying their safety was not guaranteed.
Status conference
But the defence has insisted that it must know the witnesses and the evidence to adequately prepare for the trials whose start dates are to be determined in a status conference next week.
The status conference in the case against Eldoret North MP William Ruto and radio presenter Joshua Sang will be held on Monday.
The status conference in the case against Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Mr Muthaura will take place on Tuesday. Only Mr Sang will attend the sessions.
