Deputy President William Ruto will have to attend key sessions of his trial at the International Criminal Court.
However, the Trial Chamber V excused Mr Ruto from other court sessions citing his state duties as Deputy President.
The Chamber ruled that his position will not grant him immunity from standing trial at The Hague. It also dismissed Mr Rutos request to be allowed to attend his trial through video-link.
The Chamber recalled that the Rome Statute does not afford any immunity based on official capacity. The Chamber stressed that permission granted Mr Ruto to not be continuously present was strictly for purposes of accommodating the demanding functions of his office as Deputy Head of State of Kenya and not merely to gratify the dignity of his own occupation of that office, a court statement said Tuesday.
The Chamber, by majority, ruled that Mr Ruto will be required to be present for the opening and closing statements of all parties. The Deputy President will also be required to be present at The Hague when the victims present their views and when the court delivers its judgment.
Today, 18 June 2013, Trial Chamber V (A) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) conditionally granted, by majority, the request of William Samoei Ruto to be excused from being physically present continuously throughout the trial, scheduled to start on 10 September 2013, statement from the ICC said.
However, the Trial Chamber V excused Mr Ruto from other court sessions citing his state duties as Deputy President.
The Chamber ruled that his position will not grant him immunity from standing trial at The Hague. It also dismissed Mr Rutos request to be allowed to attend his trial through video-link.
The Chamber recalled that the Rome Statute does not afford any immunity based on official capacity. The Chamber stressed that permission granted Mr Ruto to not be continuously present was strictly for purposes of accommodating the demanding functions of his office as Deputy Head of State of Kenya and not merely to gratify the dignity of his own occupation of that office, a court statement said Tuesday.
The Chamber, by majority, ruled that Mr Ruto will be required to be present for the opening and closing statements of all parties. The Deputy President will also be required to be present at The Hague when the victims present their views and when the court delivers its judgment.
Today, 18 June 2013, Trial Chamber V (A) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) conditionally granted, by majority, the request of William Samoei Ruto to be excused from being physically present continuously throughout the trial, scheduled to start on 10 September 2013, statement from the ICC said.