NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 6- The initial appearance of Kenyan lawyer Paul Gicheru is scheduled for Friday at 7pm Kenyan time in Courtroom I of the International Criminal Court before Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou of Pre-Trial Chamber A.
Gicheru was transferred to the ICC’s custody on 3 November 2020, after surrendering himself to the Dutch authorities on 2 November 2020 for alleged offences against the administration of justice consisting in corruptly influencing witnesses of the Court.
ICC said during the initial appearance hearing, the judge will verify the identity of the suspect and the language in which he is able to follow the proceedings.
He will be informed of the charges against him and of his rights under the ICC Rome Statute.
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, this hearing will be held on a partially virtual basis. Mr Gicheru will appear by video-link technology from the Court’s Detention Centre.
The arrest warrant against Mr Gicheru and Philip Kipkoech Bett was issued under seal on 10 March 2015 and unsealed unsealed on 10 September 2015. Philip Kipkoech Bett is not in ICC custody. Mr Gicheru, a lawyer formerly based in Kenya, surrendered on 2 November 2020 to the authorities of The Netherlands.
On 3 November 2020, he was surrendered to the ICC custody after the completion of the necessary national proceedings.
On 2 November 2020, the President of the ICC Pre-Trial Division constituted Pre-Trial Chamber A (Article 70), composed of Judge Reine Adé.
He is accused of bribing witnesses in the stalled Deputy President William Ruto case.
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