Bensouda Wants Ruto's ICC Case Revived

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ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda (left) and Deputy President William Ruto (right)
File

International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda wants cases against Deputy President William Ruto and journalist Joshua arap Sang revived. 

Bensouda spoke to the Nation on Thursday, December 3, clarifying that the cases were vacated and not thrown out of court. 

Sang and Ruto's cases were vacated in April 2016 after Ruto and Sang applied for their acquittal citing lack of enough evidence. 

Bensouda said that the court is ready to receive any fresh information that would incriminate the duo. She called on the government or any individual privy to the case to provide substantial information. 

Deputy President William Ruto at the ICC during a past hearing
Deputy President William Ruto at the ICC during a past hearing
File

The prosecutor stated that the judges cited political interference in the case as one of the reasons for vacating the case. 

"As you are aware, on April 5, 2016, Trial Chamber V (A) vacated the charges against William Ruto and Joshua arap Sang, without prejudice to the Prosecution bringing a new case in the future or in a different firm, in light of new evidence.

"As a general matter, in accordance with the Art. 15 of Rome Statue - the founding treaty of the ICC - any individual or group from anywhere in the world may send information on alleged crimes to the ICC Prosecutor, who is duty-bound to protect the confidentiality of the information received, treat it with full independence and impartiality," Bensouda said. 

Her sentiments came a few days after lawyer Paul Gicheru surrendered himself to ICC. He represented witnesses in the Ruto's ICC case and was accused of interfering with it by blackmailing and intimidating some of those who had incriminated the DP.

In Kenya, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) also revisited the 2007/2008 post-election violence, stating that Kenyans had recorded statements lamenting that their lives were in danger. 

"The provocative incitement to ethnic hate/division intended by the resurrection of PEV is an evil attempt to resuscitate the tribe project destroyed by the hustler movements' realisation that poverty and unemployment deliberately bred by poor leadership is our problem, not our tribes," read a statement from Ruto.

In an interview with former NTV anchor Ken Mijungu on Thursday, January 23, Ruto disclosed that he was aware of a plot to revive the ICC case against him.

He added that he received intel about the issue from the National Intelligence Service Director General, Major General Philip Kameru.

Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti addresses the media on Thursday, March 5, 2020.
Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti addresses the media on Thursday, March 5, 2020.
Simon Kiragu
Kenyans.co.ke
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