ICC sets trial date for Kenyan violence suspects

Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - Kenyan suspects facing crimes against humanity will officially stand trial from 10 to 11 April, 2013, the International Criminal Court (ICC) said Monday.

The trial chamber of the ICC said the two cases against William Ruto and Joshua Sang would kick off on 10 April, 2013, while the case against Uhuru Kenyatta and Francis Muthaura would start on 11 April, 2013.

“Today, 9 July, 2012, Trial Chamber V of the ICC issued scheduling orders setting the dates for the commencement of the trials in the two Kenyan cases,” the court said.

The trial of the four, in connection with the country’s bloody presidential elections, would come several weeks after the next general elections whose date is yet to be firmly fixed.

The Court said establishing a time table for the various procedural steps required to be undertaken before the opening of the trials in order to guarantee the fairness of the process.

Ruto is accused of plotting violence in the hotspot regions of the Rift Valley against supporters of President Mwai Kibaki while using Sang as a co-perpetrator of the crimes.

Sang, a prominent radio journalist, was accused of issuing signals for the supporters to target members of the Kikuyu tribe in the region, leading to crimes against humanity and displacement of populations over a large area.

Uhuru and Muthaura, both close allies of the President, were accused of organising revenge attacks in Central Kenya against supporters of Raila Odinga, the Prime Minister.

Both sides tussled for the Presidency before agreeing on a power sharing plan.
-0- PANA AO/VAO 9July2012