ICC in the Media, Update #17

As we reported earlier, this week ICC Prosecutor released his list of five Kenyans he believes to be most responsible for the 2008 post-election violence. Most notably, the list included Uhuru Kenyatta, the son of Kenya's first President and current Minister of Finance, and opposition party William Ruto, a prominent politician and, until recently, Minister of Higher Education. Already those accused have stepped out insisting their innocence. Uhuru has said that his only crime was trying to assist people, but has stated that he will cooperate with the ICC if his case should go forward. Joshua Sang, a journalist named by Ocampo, has expressed his shock at being included, since he is the only suspect that is not a prominent businessman or politician. However, all parties face serious charges of crimes against humanity for causing the murder, torture and rape of innocent victims. During the next several months the ICC judges will decide whether to pursue any or all of these claims; it is expected that they will reach a decision early next year. In other news, Omar al-Bashir, President of Sudan, cancelled his trip to Zambia on Wednesday, presumably out of fear of being apprehended on ICC charges of crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide. Zambia is a member state of the ICC and was legally bound to arrest him had he attended, although a government spokesperson said that they would not have honored their obligation to do so. Photo credit: Daily Nation.