Nairobi, Kenya: Deputy President William Ruto travelled Sunday night to The Hague for his International Criminal Court ( ICC) trial which resumes Monday.
Majority Leader in the National Assembly Aden Duale sent a message to the Press indicating that Ruto was scheduled to leave for the ICC where he is facing charges of crimes against humanity. On December 16, last year, Ruto’s lawyers made a formal application under Article 63 (1) of the rules of procedure and evidence seeking to excuse their client from continuous attendance.
The trial of the Deputy President at the ICC continues this week as Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda remains undecided whether to appeal the court’s decision to conditionally excuse Ruto from continuous presence. In a brief statement, the Office of the Prosecutor has said that it is still studying the decision of the Trial Chamber and will decide in the fullness of time whether or not to petition.
Ms Bensouda has also asked for the postponement of the trial against President Uhuru Kenyatta to allow her seek more evidence. It is now clear that Ruto will attend his trial, even though the ICC Trial Chamber V (a), which is hearing his case, had not yet communicated the change of the date when he was required in person. His trip to The Hague ends the speculation around his attendance.
standardmedia.co.ke
