Kenyan Presidential Candidate Seeks ICC Trial Delay
February 14, 2013
by VOA News
Kenyan presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta is seeking a delay in his trial on charges of crimes against humanity.
Kenyatta is one of four Kenyans accused of organizing deadly ethnic violence that followed Kenya's disputed 2007 election. His trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) is due to begin April 11, five weeks after Kenyans cast votes for a new president and parliament.
In a pretrial hearing Thursday at the Hague, Kenyatta's lawyers told judges that prosecutors have introduced new evidence at the last moment, and defense attorneys need more time to read the documents.
There was no immediate ruling from the judges, and no comment from the ICC.
Kenyatta, a former finance minister, is considered one of two leading presidential candidates in the March 4 election, along with Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
His running mate, William Ruto, also faces trial at the ICC, along with former Cabinet secretary Francis Muthaura and radio executive Joshua Arap Sang.
Kenyatta repeatedly has denied the ICC charges and said Monday during a presidential debate that the trial would not interfere with his ability to govern the country, should he be elected.
The Odinga campaign said electing Kenyatta would damage Kenya's international reputation.
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