RWANDAEx-senator acquitted on appeal: Former senator Anastase Nzirasanaho, who had been sentenced to life in prison by a first-instance court, was on Tuesday acquitted on appeal. The lower court had found him guilty of participating in the 1994 genocide in his home district of Mataba, in the former northern prefecture of Ruhengeri. However, the High Court found he had been convicted on the basis of contradictory evidence.
ICCDrop Kenyatta case, says defence: Lawyers for Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to drop his case, saying the prosecution does not have enough evidence against their client. They were reacting to a “notice” from Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda in which she admitted she still does not have enough evidence and asked the Court to postpone the start of trial again. Kenyatta is charged with crimes against humanity committed during post-election violence in his country in 2007-2008.
ICCCourt confirms trial for Gbagbo: The ICC on Thursday rejected a request from former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo for leave to appeal the confirmation of charges against him. The decision being final, the pre-trial court ordered the Registrar to transmit the case record to the Presidency for constitution of a Trial Chamber, which will be in charge of the conduct of his trial. Gbagbo is charged with crimes against humanity in connection with post-election violence in 2010 and 2011.
ICCArrest warrant against Abdallah Banda: The ICC on Thursday issued an arrest warrant against Sudanese rebel Abdallah Banda who is accused of war crimes. It also postponed his trial indefinitely, whereas it had been due to start on November 18. The court asked the Registry to transmit the arrest warrant to any state, including Sudan, in which Banda may be found. Banda initially appeared voluntarily before the ICC.
NEXT WEEK
The trial of Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto and journalist Joshua Sang is scheduled to continue before the ICC with testimonies of more prosecution witnesses.
ER/ JC