Ruto, Kosgey & Sang case: Defence opening statements, Confirmation of charges

Opening statements of the Defence during the confirmation of charges hearing.

The opening of the confirmation of charges hearing in the case The Prosecutor v. William Samoei Ruto, Henry Kiprono Kosgey and Joshua Arap Sang took place on Thursday, 1 September 2011 before Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is composed of Judge Ekaterina Trendafilova (presiding judge), Judge Hans-Peter Kaul and Judge Cuno Tarfusser.

A confirmation of charges hearing is held to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that each suspect committed each of the crimes being charged. If the charges are confirmed for a suspect, the Pre-Trial Chamber commits the person to trial before a Trial Chamber, which will conduct the subsequent phase of the proceedings: the trial.

William Samoei Ruto and Henry Kiprono Kosgey are allegedly criminally responsible as indirect co-perpetrators for the crimes against humanity of: murder; forcible transfer of population; and persecution. Joshua Arap Sang has allegedly otherwise contributed to the commission of the above-mentioned crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Kenya in the context of the 2007-2008 post-election violence.


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