Saturday 22 August 2015

Bensouda case on Ruto 'poorly investigated and wrongly focused' - Karim Khan


ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda's case was 'poorly investigated and wrongly focused' from the start, Deputy President William Ruto's lawyer has said.

Lawyer Karim Khan said despite being allowed to admit recanted statements as evidence, the main characteristics of the case remain the same.

He said the trial chamber repeatedly stated that allegations of interference by Ruto and/or the defence were unproven.

Khan said the move "creates new law on the application of a new, controversial and previously unused rule."


"Any such allegations remain vigorously contested by the Defence and we continue to assert that they are absolutely false."

"I remain confident that the Trial Chamber will be more than able to assess the veracity or otherwise of the case against Ruto at the appropriate time," he said in a statement on Friday.

"Whether we seek leave to appeal or not will be revealed to the Trial Chamber before any other party."

On Wednesday, ICC trial judges allowed Bensouda to admit recanted statements as evidence against Ruto.

Bensouda said statements, including those of witnesses who have refused to testify or are missing, are significant to the case.

She said they provide evidence on matters including the DP's role in planning the 2007-2008 post-election violence.

The Ruto de‎fence has been against the admission of the statements.

SOURCE: The Star

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