Ocampo: Six suspects must go to The Hague

By James Ratemo

International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo will file two cases involving six suspected masterminds of post-election violence before December 17.

Ocampo, who was speaking on Thursday in Nairobi, said the Hague process for the Kenyan case is now unstoppable as he warned those trying to block justice of dire consequences.

"Under the Roman statute I have power to prosecute those obstructing justice…I therefore put them on notice," said Ocampo.

He was reacting to recent revelations by ICC that some people were intimidating

Ocampo

or attempting to bribe witnesses.

"Before December 17, we will file two cases of about 80 pages each summarising the facts and analysing the evidence collected," Ocampo said.

He also officially disowned two witnesses who recently claimed they were bribed to implicate former Higher Education Minister, William Ruto.

The two alleged that a KNCHR Commissioner had paid them to ‘fix’ Ruto at The Hague.

"They are not my witnesses," said Ocampo.

Ocampo called on Kenya to seize the opportunity to foster healing as he pursues the six suspects, who allegedly hold highest responsibility in the 2007 post-election violence.

"There are two cases, each involving three individuals who have to face justice. They have to go to The Hague…they are still presumed innocent, their guilt or innocence shall be proved by the judges," said Ocampo.

"After my presentation to the judges, mentioned individuals should express will to appear voluntarily…judges will make decision on my request in the first part of 2011," he said.