ICC / Pre-Trial Chamber II will issue its decisions confirming or declining to confirm the charges in both Kenyan cases on the same date
THE HAGUE, Netherland, October 26, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Pre-Trial Chamber II will issue its decisions confirming or declining to confirm the charges in both Kenyan cases on the same date
Case: The Prosecutor v. William Samoei Ruto, Henry Kiprono Kosgey and Joshua Arap Sang
Situation: The Republic of Kenya
Today, Pre-Trial Chamber II decided that the decision to confirm or decline to confirm the charges in the case of The Prosecutor v William Samoei Ruto, Henry Kiprono Kosgey and Joshua Arap Sang will be issued on the same date as the decision in the case of The Prosecutor v Francis Kirimi Muthaura, Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta and Mohammed Hussein Ali. The confirmation of charges hearings in these two cases were held from 1 to 8 September 2011 and from 21 September to 5 October 2011, respectively.
The Chamber, duty-bound by law to protect the safety and well-being of witnesses and victims throughout the proceedings, took this decision mindful of the many security concerns raised by the victims in both cases. Those concerns were also supported by regular reports received by the Chamber on the security situation in the Republic of Kenya.
In its decision, the Chamber also reiterated its appeal previously made to all concerned and citizens of the Republic of Kenya to respect the life, security and property of victims and witnesses and to refrain from engaging in any activities that are likely to trigger or exacerbate tension and violence in the Republic of Kenya.
Background information
The Republic of Kenya ratified the Rome Statute on 15 March, 2005 becoming a State Party on 1st June 2005. According to the Rome Statute, the Court may exercise its jurisdiction in situations where the alleged perpetrator is a national of a State Party or where the crime was committed in the territory of a State Party.
On 31 March 2010, Pre-Trial Chamber II authorized the Prosecutor to commence an investigation proprio motu in the situation in the Republic of Kenya in relation to the 2007/2008 post-election violence.
Decision on the Issuance of the Decision Pursuant to Article 61(7) of the Rome Statute
SOURCE
International Criminal Court (ICC)
