The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has requested the trial of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta be delayed while she tries to obtain more evidence in the case.
In a statement Thursday, Fatou Bensouda said that after the loss of two key witnesses, she believes the case against Mr. Kenyatta "does not satisfy" the high standards of evidence required at trial.
She said she needs time to obtain additional evidence, and to consider whether such evidence will be sufficient to prosecute the Kenyan president.
African nations have pressured the ICC to drop the cases against Mr. Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto. Both men are accused of orchestrating violence after Kenya's 2007 presidential election that left more than 1,100 people dead.
Ruto's trial began in September, while Mr. Kenyatta's trial is due to begin on February 5.
Bensouda said Thursday that her decision to seek is "based solely on the specific facts of this case devoid of extraneous considerations."
She said one of the key witnesses in Mr. Kenyatta's case has indicated he is no longer willing to testify. She said a second key witness recently confessed to giving false evidence regarding a critical event in the prosecution's case.
In a statement Thursday, Fatou Bensouda said that after the loss of two key witnesses, she believes the case against Mr. Kenyatta "does not satisfy" the high standards of evidence required at trial.
She said she needs time to obtain additional evidence, and to consider whether such evidence will be sufficient to prosecute the Kenyan president.
African nations have pressured the ICC to drop the cases against Mr. Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto. Both men are accused of orchestrating violence after Kenya's 2007 presidential election that left more than 1,100 people dead.
Ruto's trial began in September, while Mr. Kenyatta's trial is due to begin on February 5.
Bensouda said Thursday that her decision to seek is "based solely on the specific facts of this case devoid of extraneous considerations."
She said one of the key witnesses in Mr. Kenyatta's case has indicated he is no longer willing to testify. She said a second key witness recently confessed to giving false evidence regarding a critical event in the prosecution's case.