Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has on Wednesday unsealed an arrest warrant against journalist Walter Osapiri Barasa, a Kenyan citizen. Barasa is being charged with several offences against the administration of justice including corruptly influencing or attempting to corruptly influence ICC witnesses. An under seal warrant of arrest was issued against him on 2 August 2013. This is the first case before the ICC where a suspect is charged with an offence against the administration of justice, in accordance with article 70 of the Rome Statute. Judge Cuno Tarfusser considered that the evidence presented by the Prosecutor established reasonable grounds to believe that Walter Barasa is criminally responsible as direct perpetrator for the crime. Barasa allegedly has been and is still acting in furtherance of a criminal scheme devised by a circle of officials within the Kenyan administration. Based on the Prosecutor’s evidence, Judge Tarfusser also found that it is necessary to arrest Barasa to ensure his appearance at trial, to ensure that he does not obstruct or endanger the investigation or the proceedings, and to prevent him from continuing with the commission of the crime. By Beth Nyaga
Posted on: Wed, 02 Oct 2013 10:03:56 +0000
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