Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

top
Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has lined up 42 witnesses against William Ruto (R) and Joshua arap Sang (L)/CFM

Kenya

ICC Prosecutor seeks 400hrs to present Ruto case

Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has lined up 42 witnesses against William Ruto (R) and Joshua arap Sang (L)/CFM

Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has lined up 42 witnesses against William Ruto (R) and Joshua arap Sang (L)/CFM

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 12 – The International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecution will require a minimum of two months to present its evidence against Deputy President William Ruto and his co-accused, former radio presenter Joshua arap Sang.

This emerged on Monday as Trial Chamber V (a) which will hear the trial against the two issued ground rules and procedures, in which it mentioned the prosecution’s request to be given 413 hours to present its evidence and use 42 witnesses during the trial expected to kick off on September 10.

“The prosecution has submitted estimates of the length of time it requires to question each of its witnesses. It also indicated that it would call 46 witnesses and would require 413 hours in total for the examination-in-chief of those witnesses. As a result of subsequent changes, there are currently 42 witnesses whom the prosecution intends to call,” the judges explained.

However, the time requested by the prosecution will be contested at a status conference to be arranged before the start of the trial against the two.

“Having compared practice and experience in the other cases before the court, the chamber is of the view that the prosecution’s estimates appear excessive. At the next status conference to be held, the chamber will seek the parties’ and participants’ views on this issue, with a view to reducing the prosecution’s estimates,” the judges said.

In the set of rules, the trial chamber directed the prosecution to remove names of witnesses who had withdrawn.

Having compared practice and experience in the other cases before the court, the chamber is of the view that the prosecution’s estimates appear excessive.

“The prosecution is further directed to provide, prior to the commencement of trial, an updated list of witnesses listing all witnesses in the expected order of call. The updated witness list should also delete any withdrawn witnesses and include revised estimates of examination time should the chamber order reductions during or after the forthcoming status conference,” the judges decided.

The chamber further asked the prosecution to inform the court of the facts that each witness will give and show the “relevance of the testimony relative to the charges.”

The prosecution was also required to furnish the court with an updated witness schedule on a monthly basis starting September.

The judges noted that so far, the prosecution had provided a list of 10 witnesses that it expected to use in the trial against Ruto and his co-accused Sang.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

In regards to the opening statements of which Ruto and Sang will have to be present in person, the judges ruled that the prosecution will be the first to give its opening statement, followed by victims’ legal representative.

About The Author

Pages: 1 2

Comments
Advertisement

More on Capital News