By Standard Reporter
Nairobi, Kenya: Deputy President William Ruto’s trial at the International Criminal Court will commence in September, the court said on Monday.
ICC judges set September 10 as the date for the start of trial of Ruto and his co-accused, journalist Joshua Sang.
The prosecution had requested to introduce three new witnesses but the judges declined the request, it was allowed to add “two other important witnesses”.
The case was earlier scheduled to begin last month but the defence sought more time to prepare its case.
The prosecution had expressed fears three witnesses initially lined up had not given assurances they would testify during trial.
Disclose identity
It submitted that it had recently discovered three new witnesses — P-564, P-571 and P-572 — whose evidence is said to be both “critical” to the prosecution’s case and offering “new and compelling evidence” which “will ultimately aid the Chamber in its determination of the truth and serve the interests of justice”.
The prosecution’s request to add “two other important witnesses” — P-111 and P-471 — was also granted, but the judges ordered it to disclose their identity to defence by June 10.
