HAGUE: A prosecution witness yesterday claimed frustration by officials of the International Criminal Court (ICC) forced him to enter into negotiations with other people over how to recant his evidence against Deputy President William Ruto and journalist Joshua Sang.
Witness 26 said he agreed to negotiate a buy-out after ICC officers delayed the remittance his allowances. The witness told Trial Chamber V(a) he encountered misunderstandings with the ICC officials at a location outside Kenya, where he had been taken for protection.
And before they had resolved the matter, a person identified in court as Number 19 called and asked him to return to Kenya to negotiate how he could withdraw from the witness list.
"He asked me if I could go to Kenya and he would ensure nothing happened to me. After receiving the call I went back to Kenya," the witness claimed, adding that the caller was acting for those who wanted witnesses in the case to recant their testimonies.
He said sometimes he would receive the allowances late, adding what was paid to his family was insufficient.
Pushed to explain further by the prosecution, the witness claimed the ICC officers in his protection area delayed feedback regarding his allowances.
Insurance scheme
"One time I talked to the investigators about it and they said they would come to the headquarters to resolve it but this took a long time. Other officers said I had no right to demand anything at that time because I had not signed a memorandum of understanding with the court," he said.
The witness said before he was taken out of the country, he had established an insurance scheme for his children.
"Now that I was not able to work in Kenya, I was asking if they could be supported by making the monthly payments for the scheme," he said.
He also wanted the ICC to pay his employee back at home as the debts were piling up. He was promised the matter would be discussed but it took a long time.
"So when I was approached by person Number 19, I felt it was better to go back home to try and look for ways to support my family without conflicts between me and the ICC officers," he told the judges.
He said on his return to Kenya, another person identified as Number Seven organised a meeting with Number 19.
"It was to discuss the amount of money I wanted to be paid to recant my testimony," he said.
During cross-examination by Ruto's lawyer, the witness disowned parts of an affidavit he had sworn recanting his earlier testimony.
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The hearing continues.
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