ICC suspects summoned to The Hague

By Standard Reporter

Nairobi, Kenya: The National Alliance presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta and his running mate William Ruto have been ordered by the International Criminal Court to participate in a status conference at The Hague on February 14.

The two must either appear in person or participate via video link to discuss the summonses to appear issued by the Pre-Trial Chamber II that indicted them over their alleged roles in the 2008 post-election violence.

In a statement released last evening, the ICC Trial Chamber V judges said that in accordance with Rule 132(2) of the court’s Rules of Procedure and Evidence, the conference “will also address any practical, financial and/or legal matters related to the attendance of the accused at trial, including the modalities of the accused’s stay on the territory of the Host State during the trial.”

Ruto is accused in the first Kenyan case of being criminally responsible as an indirect co-perpetrator for the crimes against humanity of murder deportation or forcible transfer of population and persecution (article 7(l)(h)). His co-accused is radio journalist Joshua Sang who also faces the same charges. Their trial begins on April 10.

Uhuru is accused in the second Kenyan case alongside former head of the Civl Service Francis Muthaura of being an indirect co-perpetrator for the crimes against humanity of murder, deportation or forcible transfer of population, rape, persecution and other inhumane acts. Their trial is set to begin on April 11.Both Uhuru and Ruto have been seeking to have the trials moved to East Africa.