ICC rejects key document in Ruto’s case

The International Criminal Court (ICC) Judges have rejected a key document that Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda sought to use as evidence to prove charges of crimes against humanity facing Deputy President William Ruto.

Bensouda had argued that the document would show that Ruto planned and facilitated the 2007/2008 post-election violence that claimed over 1,000 lives and leaving over 600,000 families homeless.

In the document, Bensouda sought to prove that Ruto and co-accused Joshua arap Sang were responsible for the violence that rocked Eldoret and its environs,

The Judges, led by Chile Eboe Osuji, Olga Herrera Carbucccia and Robert Fremr rejected the document saying it had little value to the prosecution’s case.

They further ruled that it was not possible to prove the validity of the information contained in the report adding that it would pose a disadvantage to Ruto and the network the prosecution alleges he established to carry out attacks.

Ruto’s defence led by lawyer Karim Khan had opposed admission of the document questioning its authenticity and adding that the allegations in the document were based on anonymous sources.

The judges, however, admitted five other documents that Bensouda filed as evidence in her bid to support her case against Ruto and former radio host Joshua arap Sang.

A ruling is also expected next month on the prosecution’s request to rely on statements from six hostile witnesses.