Kenyan lawyer Paul Gicheru is scheduled to appear on September 17, 2021, before the ICC for the first status conference virtually.
This follows an application from the defence to the International Criminal Court requesting that Gicheru be allowed to attend the Status Conference remotely from Kenya.
“The Defence submits that, in light of the purpose of the Status Conference and under consideration of the current health care situation in relation to the covid-19 pandemic, it is ‘neither necessary nor prudent’ that Mr Gicheru attends in-person,” ICC said.
The Office of the Prosecutor did not oppose the defence’s request.
“As a preliminary matter, the Chamber interprets the Request to ‘participate remotely’ as a request that the accused be allowed to attend the Status Conference through the use of video technology.”
The Chamber added that it takes into consideration the fairness and expeditiousness of the proceedings, pursuant to Article 64(2) of the Statute.
Article 64(2) talks about the functions and powers of the Trial Chamber, stating that:
“The Trial Chamber shall ensure that a trial is fair and expeditious and is conducted with full respect for the rights of the accused and due regard for the protection of victims and witnesses.”
Gicheru is facing allegations of witness interference in Deputy President William Ruto's case.
In July, ICC confirmed charges against Gicheru, hence, committing him to trial.
According to the international court, the Chamber found that there are substantial grounds to believe that Gicheru committed, as a co-perpetrator, or under alternative modes of liability, offences against the administration of justice.
He is said to have committed the offences between April 2013 and the closure of the Ruto and Sang case on September 10, 2015, in Kenya.
Edited by D Tarus
