This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-24151392
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Kenya's William Ruto trial: ICC judge warns bloggers | Kenya's William Ruto trial: ICC judge warns bloggers |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A senior International Criminal Court (ICC) judge has warned Kenyan media and bloggers not to reveal the identity of witnesses at the trial of Deputy President William Ruto. | A senior International Criminal Court (ICC) judge has warned Kenyan media and bloggers not to reveal the identity of witnesses at the trial of Deputy President William Ruto. |
The first prosecution witness, who gave evidence on Tuesday, was not named. | The first prosecution witness, who gave evidence on Tuesday, was not named. |
But the BBC's Odhiambo Joseph in Nairobi says a local newspaper has published the photograph of a woman it claimed to be the witness. | But the BBC's Odhiambo Joseph in Nairobi says a local newspaper has published the photograph of a woman it claimed to be the witness. |
Mr Ruto denies organising violence after the December 2007 elections. | Mr Ruto denies organising violence after the December 2007 elections. |
He is charged with crimes against humanity over the violence, in which some 1,200 people died and 600,000 were forced from their homes. | He is charged with crimes against humanity over the violence, in which some 1,200 people died and 600,000 were forced from their homes. |
ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has previously complained that some witnesses were being intimidated in Kenya, some of whom have withdrawn from the case. | ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has previously complained that some witnesses were being intimidated in Kenya, some of whom have withdrawn from the case. |
Her first witness gave evidence from behind a curtain and with her face pixelated and voice distorted on the court video. | Her first witness gave evidence from behind a curtain and with her face pixelated and voice distorted on the court video. |
She is being referred to as witness 536. | She is being referred to as witness 536. |
Our correspondent says that, after her appearance, numerous bloggers and social media entries have published her supposed name. | Our correspondent says that, after her appearance, numerous bloggers and social media entries have published her supposed name. |
Beryl Aidi, from the Kenyan Human Rights Commission, says this may deter further witnesses from testifying. | Beryl Aidi, from the Kenyan Human Rights Commission, says this may deter further witnesses from testifying. |
"Now that a witness has been identified it will be difficult to assure others that they and their family members will be safe. And in Kenya, it's not just the nuclear family: There are aunts, uncles, cousins," the AFP news agency quotes her as saying. | |
"Witnesses are bound to feel that their family and their extended family may be in danger and might want to withdraw," she said. | "Witnesses are bound to feel that their family and their extended family may be in danger and might want to withdraw," she said. |
The proceedings are being closely followed in Kenya. | |
Church attack | |
Presiding Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji warned that anyone revealing the identity of a protected witness could be guilty of contempt of court. | |
Our reporter says that the ICC does have jurisdiction in Kenya, but the situation is complicated as it would rely on political good will. | |
Furthermore, parliament recently voted to withdraw from the ICC, which would end the court's jurisdiction in the country. | |
Witness 536 broke down in court during her testimony on Tuesday. | |
She is said to have survived the attack on the Kiambaa Church in which about 36 people were burnt to death. | |
She is a member of the Kikuyu ethnic group, who were targeted by Mr Ruto's Kalenjin community, allegedly at his behest. | |
Mr Ruto is the first serving official to appear at the ICC. | Mr Ruto is the first serving official to appear at the ICC. |
President Uhuru Kenyatta is due to start his trial in November - he too denies the charges. | President Uhuru Kenyatta is due to start his trial in November - he too denies the charges. |