Kenyan Lawyer Paul Gicheru to Appear Before ICC on Friday
Kenyan lawyer Paul Gicheru is slated to make his first appearance at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday.
He will appear before Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou of Pre-Trial Chamber A at 4:00 pm (The Hague local time).
“During the initial appearance hearing, the judge will verify the identity of the suspect and the language in which he is able to follow the proceedings. He will be informed of the charges against him and of his rights under the ICC Rome Statute,” the ICC said in a statement.
“Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, this hearing will be held on a partially virtual basis. Mr. Gicheru will appear by video-link technology from the Court’s Detention Centre.”
Gicheru, who is suspected of offenses against the administration of justice consisting of corruptly influencing witnesses, was transferred to the ICC detention after he voluntarily surrendered to the Dutch authorities on Monday.
Together with two other Kenyans Philip Kipkoech Bett and Walter Osapiri Barasa, Gicheru is believed to have bribed or attempted to bribe six key prosecution witnesses by offering them bribes and other inducements so that they could recant their evidence and withdraw as witnesses.
The withdrawal of the witnesses led to the collapse of the criminal cases against Deputy President William Ruto and radio journalist Joshua Arap Sang, who were being tried over the 2007/2008 post-election skirmishes that led to the death of at least 1,300 people and over 600,000 displaced.
The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber II issued an arrest warrant against him on March 10th, 2015.
Comments (3)
Nakuomba Ndugu Gicheru useme ya kweli utakapokutana na mahakama ya ICC, Hague. Kulingana na mila zetu za kiasili za Kiafrika, kusema uongo, kuiba au kuhusiana na mambo ya wizi, mauaji hayakuruhusiwa katika mila zetu za jadi.
Utapeli tulio nao sasa unatokana na kuvamiwa na majambazi. mapwaguzi, na isitoshe matapeli wa asili ya Ulaya na nchi za Uarabuni. Watu hawa ndio waliowanunua Wafrika na kuwauza sokoni kama muhogo mbichi.
Ili bara la Afrika liweze kufufuka tena, itatubidi tutupilie kila kitu cha kutoka nje ya bara la Afrika ila teknolojia, sayansi, na ufundi.
The truth matters @Gicheru, and it will certainly set you free. Let the chips fall wherever they may so you can regain your honor!
Gicheru should not be released from the ICC custody until his case is formerly determined.
He will not last long if he is released and happen to return to Kenya. Ruto’s machinery of eliminating witnesses is well and alive.
Gicheru will be killed upon arrival back to Kenya in the same manner Yebei, kenei, Juma, mutual Kilonzo, etc hsve been killed.
Bensounda must protect gicheru by keeping him at The Hague!