ICC postpones Ruto, Sang trial

Deputy President William Ruto (L) and Joshua Sang both facing charges at the ICC. (Photo:File)

By Standard Digital Reporter

Nairobi, Kenya: Trial Chamber V of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has temporarily postponed the date of trial opening in the case of The Prosecutor v. William Samoei Ruto and Joshua Arap Sang.

The chamber has however conveyed a public status conference on 14 May 2013.

The court said that a new date for the trial’s opening will be scheduled after hearing the parties and participants’ observations during the status conference.

During the public status conference on 14 May 2013, the parties and participants will present their observations on the Prosecutor’s request to add five witnesses to the list of witnesses and the Defence’s request to vacate the trial date.

“The Chamber will also hold non-public ex parte status conferences with the Prosecution on 7 May 2013 and with the Defence on 14 May 2013, to discuss these issues and other procedural matters,” read a statement signed by the trial’s Presiding Judge Kuniko Ozaki.

Ruto’s defence had initially filed a request to Vacate the Trial Commencement Date, in which it requested that the trial date of 28 May 2013 be vacated in order to allow the Defence adequate time to prepare its case.