ICC allows Kenyan President to skip some sessions

President Kenyatta is also required to be present during sentencing hearings, the delivery of sentencing, the entirety of victim impact hearings, as well as reparation hearings/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 18 – President Uhuru Kenyatta has now been allowed to skip some of the hearings of his International Criminal Court (ICC) trial, set to begin on November 12.

Trial Chamber V(b) judges said they allowed President Kenyatta’s request in respect of his rights and also in consideration of protection of victims and witnesses.

“Today, 18 October 2013, Trial Chamber V(b) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued its decision conditionally granting, the request to excuse Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta from continuous presence at his trial, scheduled to start on 12 November 2013. The decision was adopted by majority, Presiding Judge Kuniko Ozaki dissenting,” the Public Affairs Unit indicated.

The judges however made it mandatory for Kenyatta to attend the opening and closing statements of all parties to the case and during the presentation of victims’ views.

Kenyatta will also be required in person during the sentencing hearings, delivery of the sentence, during the impact hearings of victims and also during reparation hearings