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The Hague — The International Criminal Court yesterday suspended a decision allowing Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto to be absent from parts of his trial next month for crimes against humanity.
The ICC in June said that Ruto could skip parts of his trial over deadly violence that erupted in Kenya after elections in late 2007 because of the demands placed on him in Nairobi by his duties as deputy president.
But ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda appealed that decision, insisting Ruto should be present throughout his trial, alongside fellow-accused Joshua Arap Sang, (37), which begins on 10 September.
As a result, the ICC appeals chamber suspended the decision allowing Ruto to be absent pending a decision on Bensouda’s appeal. “The request for suspensive effect is granted,” the court said.
Ruto (46), faces three counts of crimes against humanity over deadly violence that erupted in Kenya after elections in late 2007, which claimed some 1 100 lives and displaced around 600 000 people. — AFP
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