ICC prosecution, defence in heated debate on hiding of witness identities

Deputy President William Ruto and his wife Rachel among other Kenyans who travelled in solidarity with him to The Hague hold hands as they pray outside the court at The Hague in the Netherlands, Wednesday. [PHOTOS: PIUS CHERUIYOT AND BONIFACE THUKU/STANDARD]

The Hague

Deputy President William Ruto’s lawyer Karim Khan in the ongoing trials made a strong case about having the witnesses give their evidence in public in his submissions, where he was opposed to having all sessions in camera. He was responding to a request by the prosecution that the witnesses’ safety would be compromised if they give their evidence in open court.  Presiding Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji started the open court session with a tough warning to any people that may be exposing the identities of the witnesses, directing that culprits would be prosecuted.