By NATION REPORTER
Posted Thursday, March 31 2011 at 21:10
Posted Thursday, March 31 2011 at 21:10
Six suspected masterminds of post-election violence will be restricted to three countries and can stay in the Netherlands for seven days only when they travel to the International Criminal Court next week.
Visas issued on Thursday to the six in Nairobi indicate they will only be able to travel to Belgium and Luxembourg if they are to leave the Netherlands.
The six, who will be before the ICC judges on April 7 and 8, were denied Schengen visas, which allow holders to visit 17 European Union countries.
Close to 50 MPs seeking to accompany the six and the lawyers to the suspects were given the Schengen visas.
Open session
The visas were issued as the ICC announced that the initial appearance of MPs William Ruto and Henry Kosgey and radio journalist Joshua Sang would be held in Courtroom I.
The hearing will be in open session unless ordered otherwise.
“The hearing is being held in order to verify the identity of the suspects and to ensure that they have been informed of the crimes, which they are alleged to have committed as well as of their rights under the Rome Statute.”
The Netherlands issued the Benelux normal visa that allows unrestricted travel to the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.
However, the Dutch embassy in Nairobi said their movement during their stay in the European country would not be restricted.
“The visas enable the six to visit the Netherlands without restrictions, and to appear in court as summoned,” said Ms Camilla Veerman, the first secretary in charge of politics and press affairs at the embassy.
She added that the six suspects had been asked to pick their visas on Thursday.
Only Mr Sang picked the visa in person as the other five sent representatives. The radio presenter told journalists he was not concerned about the restrictions, adding that he expects to return on April 10.
Mr Ruto’s visa was picked by Belgut MP Charles Keter. Mr Keter also picked 20 visas for his colleagues who are to accompany the six suspects. He said another 25 visas were still being processed by the embassy and would be collected on Friday.
“We have collected 20 visas this afternoon. Another 25 are being processed including five that I have submitted today,” said Mr Keter.
Other suspects whose visas were picked included Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta Mr Kosgey who sent aides.
It was not clear whether Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura and Postmaster-General Hussein Ali had picked theirs.
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