ICC suspect Lawyer Paul Gicheru found dead at Karen home

Police said that Gicheru was found dead with the cause of death yet to be known.

In Summary

•The Kenyan lawyer is accused of offences against the administration of justice by corruptly influencing witnesses of the Court.

•He allegedly bribed witnesses to either recant their testimonies or refuse to testify in the crimes against humanity case that faced President William Ruto and former journalist Joshua Sang. 

Kenyan lawyer Paul Gicheru at the opening of his ICC trial on February 15, 2022.
Kenyan lawyer Paul Gicheru at the opening of his ICC trial on February 15, 2022.
Image: ©ICC-CPI

Lawyer Paul Gicheru who was a suspect at the International Criminal Court is dead.

Gicheru was found dead in his Karen home on Monday night.

Police said that Gicheru was found dead with the cause of death yet to be known.

"He had late lunch and felt unwell and went to bed but he did not wake up," police said.

Police said he was found unresponsive at about 7 pm.

"His son too collapsed and was taken to Karen hospital in stable condition," police added.

Police arrived at scene later and announced a probe had been opened.

The family said they will address media on Tuesday even as Journalists were stopped at his gate.

Gicheru surrendered to the ICC on November 2, 2020, pursuant to an arrest warrant issued on March 10, 2015, by Pre-Trial Chamber II of the ICC.

The Kenyan lawyer was accused of offences against the administration of justice by corruptly influencing witnesses of the Court.

He allegedly bribed witnesses to either recant their testimonies or refuse to testify in the crimes against humanity case that faced President William Ruto and former journalist Joshua Sang. 

Cases against the two were officially terminated in April 2016 after they were found to have no case to answer.

According to the prosecution, Gicheru offered bribes and other inducements, in exchange for withdrawal as witnesses or recantation of their prior statements to the prosecution.

Gicheru’s trial opened on February 15, he however pleaded not guilty to all charges. Eight witnesses testified for the prosecution.

The office of the prosecutor completed its presentation of evidence on March 29. The defence announced on April 25, that it will not present any evidence.

In March 2015, a warrant of arrest was issued against Gicheru and another Kenyan Philip Kipkoech Bett for allegedly corrupting witnesses.

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