Kenya allows International Criminal Court to open office in Nairobi days after al-Bashir visit
By APFriday, September 3, 2010
Kenya allows Int’l Criminal Court to open office
NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya is allowing the International Criminal Court to open an office in the country.
The court’s prosecutor is investigating top Kenyan leaders and business people for their roles in political violence that killed more than 1,000 people in 2007-08.
Kenya granted the ICC immunity from legal challenges and tax exemptions in a letter signed Friday by the foreign minister.
The move comes only a week after Kenya hosted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who faces charges of genocide and crimes against humanity at the ICC.
Kenya did not arrest al-Bashir, arguing such a move would destabilize Sudan. His visit raised doubts about Kenya’s willingness to hand over suspects expected to soon be charged by the ICC.
