ICC AC expected to rule on Rule 68 decision on recanted evidence in Ruto / Sang case: The ICC Appeals Chamber is expected to make a ruling on the application of Rule 68 in the Prosecution’s case against Deputy President William Ruto and journalist Joshua Arap Sang. The Trial Chamber allowed the use of the recanted witness testimony under Rule 68 and the defence of Ruto and Sang challenged the decision with the Appeals Chamber. In its decision the Appeals Chamber will consider submissions of the defence teams of Ruto and Sang, the AU, the prosecution and the victims’ legal representatives. The AU and the defence teams argue that Rule 68 was passed in 2013 on the condition that it would not be applied retroactively. According to reports Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda explained to the judges that her witnesses were interfered with and forced to recant their evidence. (All Africa)
ECCC hears testimony on Meas Muth role in capturing US ship: In Case 002, against Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan, the ECCC heard testimony accusing the Khmer Rouge’s former navy Chief Meas Muth of ordering the capture of an American container ship in the gulf of Thailand in 1975. The witness, 2-TCW-1000, whose identity was shielded because of his role in the investigation of the ECCC’s Case 003, where Meas Muth is facing charges for crimes including genocide, testified that the order to capture the S.S. Mayaguez, an American container ship, came from the “superior or upper echelons”. The witness stated “The order came from Ta Muth, in charge of the division, and he gave the order to members of the navy to go arrest the ship or vessel.” Victor Koppe, defense lawyer for Nuon Chea questioned whether the witness knew that Meas Muth gave the order, or had concluded so because of the chain of command. (Cambodia Daily)
Bangladesh Supreme Court upholds death sentence of Motiur Rahman Nizami: Bangladesh’s Supreme Court upheld a death sentence against Motiur Rahman Nizami, leader of the country’s Jamaat-e-Islami party. Nizami was convicted by a special war crimes tribunal in 2015 for offenses including genocide, murder, torture and rape that occurred in 1971 as Bangladesh fought for independence from Pakistan. Nizami was jailed and charged with war crimes in 2010. Critics have reportedly accused the government of using the war crimes tribunal as a way to target political opponents. Attorney General Mahbubey Alam was satisfied with the verdict but defence lawyers said they did not get justice. (Al Jazeera, BBC News, WSJ)
The post 6 January 2016 – NEWS ABOUT THE COURTS – ICC Rule 68 decision expected, ECCC testimony on Meas Muth and Bangladesh death sentence upheld appeared first on ICL Media Review.