ICC Terminates Proceedings Against Kenyan President (March 13, 2015) [1]
On March 13, 2015, in Prosecutor v. Kenyatta, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court withdrew charges [3] against Uhuru Kenyatta, the president of Kenya, for insufficient evidence. According to the press release [4], the Trial Chamber indicated that “although the proceedings shall be terminated, the Court retains jurisdiction over any interference with a witness or with the collection of evidence and that the protective measures ordered for witnesses and/or victims shall continue, subject to the review by the Court.” Kenyatta was accused of crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, persecution, deportation or forcible transfer, and other inhuman acts, committed during the post-election violence that occurred in Kenya in 2007. Although the Court terminated the proceedings and vacated the summons to appear, the case was dismissed “without prejudice to the possibility of bringing new charges at a later date on the same or similar factual circumstances should [the Court] obtain sufficient evidence to do so.” Kenyatta was the first sitting head of state to appear before the Court.