Trial Chamber III of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has dropped its charges against the Kenyan Paul Gicheru who was “prosecuted for offenses against the administration of justice consisting in the tampering of witnesses in connection with the cases relating to the situation in Kenya”.
The ICC announced its decision on Friday October 14 on its website, following the confirmation of the death of Paul Gicheru. It indicated that, according to its legal framework, its jurisdiction cannot be exercised over a deceased person.
“On 13 October 2022, the ICC Registry filed an official communication from the Republic of Kenya confirming the death of the accused. The Chamber considers that this evidence is sufficient to establish the death of the accused,” the statement said.
Paul Gicheru, a former lawyer in his fifties, had been released with specific conditions restricting his freedom since February 1, 2021. His trial opened on February 15, 2022 in The Hague. The accused had pleaded not guilty to all charges.
“Trial closing statements were made on 27 June 2022 and Trial Chamber III was currently in deliberations regarding its decision on the conviction or acquittal of Mr. Gicheru,” the statement said.
But these deliberations are now suspended. Indeed, the former lawyer was found dead on September 26 at his residence in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya; a sudden death that had caused a lot of ink to flow, some Kenyans evoking poisoning. The police had opened an investigation to shed light on this incident.
By OMA Newsletter N° 899 of 17/10/2022
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
