Trial of Kenyan vice-president begins at ICC

The trial of Kenya's Vice President William Ruto for charges of crimes against humanity began Tuesday at the at the International Criminal Court (ICC) at the Hague. An ICC prosecutor read the charges against the 46-year-old Ruto and HIS co-accused, radio broadcaster Joshua arap Sang, which relate to crimes against humanity (murder, deportation or forcible transfer of population and persecution) allegedly committed in Kenya in the context of the 2007-2008 post-election violence. Both the accused pleaded non-guilty to all the charges. The hearings will be held in two phases from September 10 to October 4, and from October 14 to November 1, 2013, in the presence of the accused, noted an ICC press release. The trial comes only a week after the Kenyan parliament approved a motion to leave the ICC. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta also faces charges of crimes against humanity and his trial is expected to begin at the Hague in November.