By Standard Team
Lawyers representing the Six suspects are fighting off International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo’s claims against Kenya and claim it sets the stage for harassment of their clients.
One lawyer claimed Moreno-Ocampo is plotting to have the six arrested.
Postmaster General Hussein Ali’s lawyer, Mr Evans Monari told The Standard the prosecutor has no concrete proof to make such assertions.
"The prosecutor is using a very cunning methodology to lay the groundwork for warrants of arrest. This has failed in the past and there is no change of circumstances to warrant any variations. We remain steadfast in the defence of our client within the confines of the law," he said.
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Moreno-Ocampo claimed on Sunday that the Government has waged a campaign to instill fear and intimidate witnesses in order to protect the suspects following the disclosure of their names last December.
But on Monday, Justice minister Mutula Kilonzo defended the Government’s position.
Mutula who sits on the cabinet sub-committee on the ICC and international crimes challenged Moreno-Ocampo to engage the Government directly instead of going to the Press.
"He should communicate any fears or difficulties he is having through a letter so that the Government can respond officially," he said.
The minister disclosed that the subcommittee will today discuss the allegations. "The meeting has been convened in anticipation of the visit by a delegation from ICC. We are prepared for it and we will let Kenyans know the position after the meeting," Lands minister James Orengo said in an interview.
Cooperate with ICC
Prof Kithure Kindiki who is representing Eldoret North MP William Ruto said he had no comment to make on behalf of his client, since Ocampo’s attack was only directed to the Government.
"It is for the Government to respond to those allegations made in the Press by the prosecutor,’ he said.
Meanwhile civil society organisations from North Rift which was hard hit by the post-election violence challenged President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to make good their promise to Ocampo that they would cooperate with ICC.
Led by Director of Centre for Human Rights and Democracy Ken Wafula and Transitional Justice Programme officer Janet Kurui said the principals should not bury their heads in the sand as the ICC process is being interfered with.
"The two principals should ensure that the Witnesses Protection Act is not being violated if they allowed its enactment for the sake of Kenyans," said Ms Kurui.
"We are aware that after the government failed to have the process stopped or deferred they are now targeting witnesses," claimed Wafula.
