Initial appearance of Paul Gicheru scheduled for 6 November 2020
The initial appearance of Paul Gicheru is scheduled for Friday 6 November 2020, at 16:00 (The Hague local time) in Courtroom I of the International Criminal Court ("ICC" or "Court") before Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou of Pre-Trial Chamber A.
Paul Gicheru was transferred to the ICC's custody on 3 November 2020, after surrendering himself to the Dutch authorities on 2 November 2020 for alleged offences against the administration of justice consisting in corruptly influencing witnesses of the Court.
During the initial appearance hearing, the judge will verify the identity of the suspect and the language in which he is able to follow the proceedings. He will be informed of the charges against him and of his rights under the ICC Rome Statute.
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, this hearing will be held on a partially virtual basis. Mr Gicheru will appear by video-link technology from the Court's Detention Centre.
Background: The arrest warrant against Mr Gicheru and Philip Kipkoech Bett was issued under seal on 10 March 2015 and unsealed on 10 September 2015. Philip Kipkoech Bett is not in ICC custody. Mr Gicheru, a lawyer formerly based in Kenya, surrendered on 2 November 2020 to the authorities of The Netherlands. On 3 November 2020, he was surrendered to the ICC custody after the completion of the necessary national proceedings. On 2 November 2020, the President of the ICC Pre-Trial Division constituted Pre-Trial Chamber A (Article 70), composed of Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou, to exercise the powers and functions of the Pre-Trial Chamber in this case.
Order Setting the Date for the Initial Appearance of Mr Gicheru
Questions and Answers on the initial appearance: English, Français
Webstreaming of the hearing:
The hearing can be followed live on the ICC website, in English and French at: http://player.cdn.tv1.eu/statics/66005/icc.html (Courtroom 1)
Attending the hearing:
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, access to the Court's premises is restricted to protect the safety and well-being of users. A very limited number of public and media representatives will be granted access to the hearing at the seat of the Court, following measures against coronavirus including wearing a mask and keeping a distance of 1.5 metres. Please note that reservations are strictly personal and attendees will be allowed into the building if the seat has been confirmed.
Members of the diplomatic corps, NGOs and other members of the public can request attendance via email to: [email protected]. Confirmed attendees must present a valid passport or valid ID with a photo at the main entrance of the Court (at: Oude Waalsdorperweg 10, 2597 AK The Hague).
Journalists wishing to cover the hearing can request accreditation via email to: [email protected]. All journalists must present a valid press card, and a valid passport or valid ID with a photo, at the main entrance of the Court (at: Oude Waalsdorperweg 10, 2597 AK The Hague).
Individuals who do not confirm their attendance in advance cannot be guaranteed access to the hearings.
Audio-visual materials:
Images of the hearing will be available for download on an FTP server in video (MPEG-4) and audio (MPEG-3) format, and for viewing on the official ICC YouTube Channel.
Photographs of the hearing will be available on the ICC Flickr account. For information on audio-visual matters, please contact [email protected]
For further information, please contact Fadi El Abdallah, Spokesperson and Head of Public Affairs Unit, International Criminal Court, by telephone at: +31 (0)70 515-9152 or +31 (0)6 46448938 or by e-mail at: [email protected]
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