THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- The International Criminal Court said Thursday it would review challenges to the case against Kenya's president in February rather than start trial proceedings.
The court in The Hague, the Netherlands, said Thursday it vacated the start of proceedings for Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.
"The trial chamber will hold a status conference on [Feb. 5] to address the issues raised by the parties and participants in relation to the prosecution request for a three-month adjournment," the court said in a statement.
Kenyatta is charged as an indirect co-perpetrator with five counts of crimes against humanity, including murder, for actions committed allegedly during post-election violence in Kenya in 2007-8.
At least 1,000 Kenyans died as a result of the violence.
The court in October ruled Kenyatta could be excused from some of the court's proceedings so he could deal with the aftermath of an al-Shabaab attack on an upscale Nairobi shopping center in September, which left more than 60 people dead.
Kenyan Vice President William Ruto and national broadcast director Joshua Sang face similar charges as the president. The African Union challenged the ICC's position on the Kenyan leaders, saying the trial should be postponed so they can address their constitutional obligations.
Kenyatta and Ruto, former rivals, were elected last year. All of the accused say they're innocent.
Read More
- Prosecutor in Kenyatta trial drops charges, citing lack of evidence
- ICC says Kenyan president must attend trial
- U.N. bid to postpone Kenyan war crimes trials fails
- U.S. explains vote that keeps Kenyan case at ICC
- ICC delays start of trial for Kenya's president
- Kenya's Ruto must attend trial, International Criminal Court rules
