Kenyan lawyer goes on ICC trial in witness tampering case

A Kenyan lawyer has gone on trial at the International Criminal Court charged with bribing and threatening prosecution witnesses so that they would withdraw their statements in a case that ultimately collapsed amid widespread witness interference

THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- A Kenyan lawyer went on trial Tuesday at the International Criminal Court charged with bribing and threatening prosecution witnesses so that they would withdraw their statements in a case that ultimately collapsed amid widespread witness interference.

As his trial opened, Paul Gicheru pleaded not guilty to all eight counts of interfering with witnesses.

Deputy Prosecutor James Stewart said the case sends an important message about the court protecting its ability to mete out justice for atrocities around the world.

“We seek to preserve and strengthen public confidence in the court and the expectations of those who look to the court to establish the truth and deliver justice,” Stewart said in his opening statement. “Those who would seek to undermine the court's ability to provide redress for the victims of mass atrocities cannot be allowed to prevail. They must be held accountable.”