Don’t entertain any sideshows, Ocampo urged

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By WILLIS OKETCH

Coast leaders have asked International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo to stick to his mandate when he meets President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

The prosecutor, they said, should not condone sideshows by politicians.

Nominated MPs Sheikh Mohamed Dor and Shakila Mohamed told Moreno-Ocampo not to sympathise with anyone suspected of involvement.

Sheikh Dor of ODM asked the prosecutor to stick to ICC principles and ignore Government inaction.

"He should not even read the mood of the Government because Kenyans are looking upon him for justice," said Dor.

He insisted Moreno-Ocampo should maintain the deadline he gave the Government to establish a local tribunal to try suspected perpetrators of post-election violence.

"We do not want to hear the postponement of action by Moreno-Ocampo," said Dor.

Shakila asked Kenyans to hang on to hope, saying talks about Ocampo should end.

However, the executive director of Muslims for Human Rights Khalid Hussein asked the ICC prosecutor to stop listening to policitians.

He warned the Government was bound to intefer with the ICC in its quest to punish impunity.

"We do not want to hear of the waiting any longer. Let’s have suspects tried according to the law," he said.

He said civil rights groups would work to meet Moreno-Ocampo.