The Hague
A Kenyan lawyer accused of bribing witnesses in the failed International Criminal Court case against Deputy President William Ruto was released on Monday under strict conditions, the ICC said. Paul Gicheru handed himself over to Dutch authorities in early November and was transferred to the Hague-based court where he appeared for the first time just a few days later. He was freed in Kenya “with specific conditions restricting liberty during the confirmation of charges proceedings against him,” the ICC said. ICC judges on Friday ordered Gicheru’s release, saying his “voluntary surrender demonstrates his concrete willingness to subject himself to the jurisdiction of the Court in relation to the allegations against him.” Gicheru was flown back to Kenya under the auspices of the court before his release there, a court official confirmed. Prosecutors say Gicheru “corruptly influenced” their witnesses to recant testimony by allegedly paying bribes of up to one million Kenyan shillings ($9,000 / 7,500 euros) and offering up to five million more. Release conditions for Gicheru, who has denied the allegations, included security of one million shillings, providing copies of his passport, visas and identity documents and reporting to the court at least once a week via videolink.—Agencies
