ICC Judge Warns Media After Attempt to Expose Witness Indentity in Ruto Trial

By: Dan Krupinsky
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a stern warning to the media on Wednesday, after the identity of a witness in Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto’s trial was apparently exposed on social media.

William Ruto in court at the ICC. (Courtesy: ICC-CPI on Flickr, Human IPO)

The woman, who was to be known only as Witness 536 for her protection, took the stand on Tuesday as the first witness for the prosecution in the trial of Ruto, accused of crimes against humanity. She testified about an attack in January 2008 by a mob on a church in Kenya’s Rift Valley region, which she and her children survived. The incident left at least 28 people dead.

Because of safety concerns, she testified from behind a curtain, and her image was pixilated and voice distorted on the court video.

However, after her testimony on Tuesday, which was broadcast live on Kenyan TV, speculation began about her true identity on Twitter and other Internet sites. By Wednesday, numerous Twitter posts had supposedly identified her, and one Kenyan blogger and the website of a tabloid newspaper published photographs supposedly of the witness.

The woman in the photograph was identified by name, but the name attributed to her was different than the actual name of the woman in the photograph. So, while the woman in the photograph is not Witness 536, it is still unclear if the reported name of the woman is accurate. But the woman whose photograph is being circulated has asked for police protection.

“The photograph is mine but I have nothing to do with the ICC cases. I am not a witness in any case,” the woman said.  “Some began condemning me for going to The Hague to testify even without asking me whether it was true I had gone to testify. I am in shock.”

The woman in the photograph was one of the survivors of the attack on the church, which is likely why she was mistakenly believed to be the witness.

On Wednesday, Presiding judge Eboe Osuji issued a warning to the media that anyone who acts to expose the identities of witnesses in the case will be held in contempt of court, and may face prosecution.

“Let me warn everybody: bloggers, journalists or anyone else intimidating witnesses, that you will be investigated and prosecuted,” Osuji said.

“Revelation of identity of a witness protected by the court is an offense and considered as contempt of court.”

The possibility that the protected identity of a witness has been uncovered after only one day of testimony will undoubtedly make an already difficult case for prosecutors even harder.

Claims by ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda of witness intimidation were already being investigated. Because of the controversial nature of the case, many potential witnesses were already scared to come forth. Four witnesses withdrew just before the trial began, with several more following before the prosecution even began its case.

For more on the charges and accusations, please read earlier reports from Impunity Watch.


For further information, please see:

All Africa – ICC Judge Warns Against Exposing Ruto Trial Witnesses – 18 September 2013

BBC – William Ruto trial: Kenyan’s fears over witness claims – 19 September 2013

Human IPO – ICC judge warns Kenyan media and bloggers against exposing Ruto trial witnesses – 19 September 2013

News24 – ICC warns journos after Kenya witness ‘outed’ – 19 September 2013

News Observer – Branded an ICC witness, Kenya woman fears for life – 19 September 2013

UPI – ICC judge: Witnesses names to be kept out of media – 19 September 2013

 

Greek Neo-Nazi Accused of Killing Activist-Rapper in Athens

by Tony Iozzo
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

ATHENS, Greece – A member of the Greek Neo-Nazi political party Golden Dawn is the main suspect in the stabbing death of an activist-musician, police say.

Golden Dawn Supporters at a rally in May. (Photo courtesy of BBC News)

Pavlos Fyssas, 34, was stabbed to death early Wednesday morning in the western Athens district of Keratsini, after an alleged dispute over the Oympiakos vs Paris St. Germain Champions League football match.

Fyssas, however, was a well-known left-wing musician, and an opponent of the fascist party.

The Golden Dawn political party has denied any involvement, but Fyssas, who was able to identify his attacker before he died, has named a member of the party.

Fyssas, whose nickname was Killah P, was allegedly ambushed on his way out of a café by a gang of Golden Dawn supporters, and stabbed multiple times in the heart and abdomen. Fyssas died shortly after arriving at Tazanneio Hospital.

Police have arrested the Golden Dawn suspect, and conducted a search of Golden Dawn’s offices.

Social tensions have been rising as Greek citizens react to the implementation of austerity measures approved by Parliament back in late July. Greece’s Public Order Minister, Nikos Dendias, has cancelled a trip to Rome. He has stated that the situation was “critical.” Dendias expressed sorrow over the incident, and stated the government would put forward a new law against political violence and armed groups.

The killing occurred amidst additional strikes against government plans to cut thousands of public sector jobs as a part of the austerity measures. Golden Dawn has frequently been accused of violence towards left-wing activists and immigrants and is blamed for vigilante attacks.

The Council of Europe, Europe’s human rights body, has stated that there are grounds for Golden Dawn to be made illegal.

Greece’s Socialist Party, which is the second party in the governing coalition, has also stated that Golden Dawn should be considered a criminal group.

Golden Dawn’s popularity, however, has grown during Greece’s financial crisis. The government fears banning the party would increase its support even further underground.

The civil servants’ union had called a strike on Tuesday night to protest the latest austerity measures, and to protest Fascism, and are planning an additional rally for Wednesday.

Fyssas had been part of the Greek hip-hop scene since 1997, and was an outspoken activist against the Fascist party.

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Neo-Nazi Held Over Greek Musician Pavlos Fyssas Death – 18 September 2013

Ekathimerini – Police Say Amfiali Suspect Intended to Kill – 18 September 2013

International Business Times – Greece: Golden Dawn Neo-Nazi Accused of Murder of Rapper KillahP – 18 September 2013

United Press International – Left-Wing Musician Killed by Alleged Member of Golden Dawn in Greece – 18 September 2013

 

Nigeria’s Army Engage in Battle With Boko Haram

By: Danielle L. Gwozdz
Impunity Watch News Reporter, Africa

ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s army and Boko Haram militants engage in a fierce battle in Borno state, leaving many dead on both sides. In May, Nigeria’s air force carried out similar attacks, killing at least 20 insurgents at suspected militant Islamist camps.

Thousands of troops have been sent to north-eastern Nigeria (photo courtesy of AP)

After all of the fighting, the army reports that it has killed 150 militants, while 16 soldiers died and 9 are missing. However, local media reports that around 100 soldiers may have died.

“Our military has overrun a number of the militants’ camps in north and central Borno state,” said defense spokesman Brig. Gen. Chris Olukolade.

“Within those insurgents’ camps, we discovered that they have been storing sophisticated, high-caliber weapons including anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons.”

Several thousands of people have been killed by Boko Haram since it launched its insurgency in 2009, seeking to create an Islamic state in the mainly Muslim north of Nigeria.

A state of emergency was declared in Borno and two neighboring states in May, with thousands of extra troops sent to the area.

Local vigilante groups have also been formed to help counter the militants, but scores of these volunteers have been killed in recent weeks.

Last month, the army said it killed Boko Haram’s leader Abubakar Shekau but this has not been confirmed and the militants’ attacks have continued.

“The operation continues, we are injecting even more troops and resources into those areas,” Olukolade added.

In May, a spokesman for the U.N. human rights commissioner told reporters that Boko Haram could face war crimes charges for alleged ethnic and religious cleansing in Nigeria.

According to Human Rights Watch, the group has killed more than 2,800 people in an escalating campaign to impose strict Islamic law on largely Muslim northern Nigeria.

The U.N. human rights office is calling on Nigeria’s government to respect human rights principles during security sweeps, following reports of heavy casualties in some parts of the country.

Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country, with a population of nearly 175 million according to the CIA World Factbook, and is the political and economic powerhouse of West Africa.

For more information, please visit:

BBC News – Nigeria’s Boko Haram unrest: Scores killed in Borno state – 18 September 2013
CNN – Nigeria military: Insurgents killed in raid on militant camps – 17 May 2013
Sunnews – Nigeria Boko Haram attack kills 11 – 17 September 2013
Nigeria70 – Nigeria’s Boko Haram unrest: Scores killed in Borno state – 18 September 2013
World News Inc – Nigeria’s Boko Haram unrest: Scores killed in Borno state – 18 September 2013
Word Press – Nigeria’s Boko Haram unrest: Scores killed in Borno state – 18 September 2013