Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Hague escorts to jostle for sitting space

By ERIC SHIMOLI The Hague, Netherlands
Posted  Tuesday, April 5 2011 at 22:00
In Summary
  • Lawyers, journalists, legislators all have to witness proceedings from the public gallery in the chamber

Many MPs accompanying the Ocampo Six to The Hague may not sit in court because there is not enough space in the chamber.
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The suspects will make their appearance before the International Criminal Court on Thursday and Friday.
Those accompanying them will have to fight for sitting space to witness the proceedings with journalists, the public and lawyers.
The ICC Court 1 public gallery has seats for only 50 people.
Forty-one MPs, among them Cabinet Minister Beth Mugo and 10 assistant ministers have accompanied Eldoret North MP William Ruto and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta who are among the six summoned to appear at the court.
Unlike in Nairobi where politicians would have arrived with crowds in tow, their entry here could turn out to be a low key affair as Dutch citizens are unlikely to be excited about events concerning a country nearly 10,000km away.
The court is two chambers in one, separated by a glass wall.
In the front, there will be the three judges who will preside over the sessions as well as lawyers working with the judges.
At the rear of the court and separated from the judges and witnesses with a glass wall is the public gallery and no cameras, laptops, or cell telephones are allowed.
Others summoned to the court are Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey, Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura, former Police Commissioner Hussein Ali and Kass FM radio presenter Joshua Sang.
A lawyer representing Maj Gen Ali, Mr Evans Monari, told journalists he had received written assurance from the court that the six would not have their movements curtailed.
Attorney-General Amos Wako arrived at The Hague yesterday. Chief Prosecutor Keriako Tobiko was also with him as part of the government team.
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