Citing lack of evidence, ICC delays Kenyan president's trial

THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- A prosecutor at the International Criminal Court has filed a postponement for the trial of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who stands accused of crimes against humanity.

Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda cited lack of evidence records as the reason for her court filing: "from an evidentiary standpoint, the situation is the same as when the prosecution sought an adjournment of the trial date on 19 December 2013 -- the available evidence is insufficient to prove Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta's alleged criminal responsibility beyond reasonable doubt."

Bensouda requested the additional records in April but received only 73 pages, "a fraction of the information sought." Much of the documentation that was provided did not match her request.

Without the required documentation to prosecute, Bensouda requested a postponement until the government fully cooperates.

Kenyatta's spokesman, Manoah Esipisu, dismissed the prosecutor's complaints, insisting that the request for documents were "vague at best" and maintained "It is not the job of the Kenyan government to investigate for" her.

Kenyatta was charged in 2012 with the following crimes against humanity: murder; deportation or forcible transfer; rape; persecution; and other (unspecified) inhumane acts.

The charges were based on allegations that Kenyatta was responsible for inciting violence during the 2007 elections when he was the opposition leader. More than 1,000 people were killed in the unrest. Despite the charges, Kenyatta was elected president last year.