This week the ICC has enjoyed significant media attention. Earlier this week the Maldives became the 118th state party to ratify the Rome Statute and become a member state to the ICC. As we mentioned earlier, the confirmation of charges hearings for Kenya suspects Kenyatta, Ali and Mathaura have begun at the Hague. Kenya defense lawyers have claimed that several prosecution witnesses offered to lie against the defendants in return for the OPT giving them money or a better life, as depicted in the following video.Kenyatta has taken the stand as a witness during his hearings, reportedly claiming that he has been a victim of violence and would never be a perpetrator. In perhaps an indication that some or all the Kenya cases will be confirmed, the ICC has made efforts to establish an outreach office in Kenya as soon as possible. The ICC Registrar visited Kenya last week to discuss the plans with government officials who later confirmed the ICC's intentions. In the ongoing Jean Pierre Bemba case, this week the ICC judges permitted victims' lawyers to question insider witnesses. These witnesses are the last to be called by the Prosecution in the trial. Photo credit: Business Daily Africa.
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