DP William Ruto welcomes ICC Appeals Chamber ruling

Deputy President William Ruto has welcomed the International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber ruling against the use of recanted testimony in the case facing him and former KASS FM presenter Joshua Arap Sang.

The DP, who together with Sang is facing crimes against humanity charges at the Hague-based court, says that the truth is beginning to emerge in the case.

Ruto, who has maintained his innocence since the charges were leveled against him in 2010, expressed confidence that he and Sang will be vindicated following the ruling on the use of Rule 68.

He asked Kenyans of goodwill to continue praying for him and Sang.

Ruto’s lawyer, Karim Khan, released a statement to newsrooms saying, “Today, Justice and the Rule of Law has prevailed. We look forward to the Trial Chamber’s determination of the Defence application for a judgement of acquittal which is before it and are confident that all relevant matters will be equally considered by the Trial Chamber.”

Rejecting Rule 68

The Appeals chamber faulted an earlier ruling made by the Trial Chamber on the application of Rule 68 on recanted evidence, saying that the rule could not be applied retroactively as this would not be just.

The Appeal Chamber stated that since Rule 68 was passed after the Ruto-Sang case had commenced, it could not be used as this would negatively impact the case of Ruto and Sang.

“The application of this rule affected negatively the case of Mr. Ruto and Sang. The term detriment should be interpreted broadly and not limited to rights of accused,” said presiding Judge Piotr Hofmański.

Under the rule, ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda would have been allowed to present recorded testimonies in the case against Ruto and Sang.