Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto says he should be excused from appearing in person at his trial in The Hague, where he faces charges of crimes against humanity.
At a Tuesday news conference, Ruto said he would continue to cooperate with the International Criminal Court but would prefer to be excused so that he could carry out his duties in Kenya.
Ruto also said that he and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta would pursue a bid to get the U.N. Security Council to delay the ICC cases against them for a year.
"We believe that there are legitimate reasons for the deferral of this case, to give Kenya the best possible chance to handle serious challenges that exist in our region, our country, on a matter that is of global concern of terrorism in our region."
The ICC is set to try President Kenyatta in November on charges of crimes against humanity. The charges against both men relate to their alleged roles in orchestrating post-election violence in 2007 and 2008.
The ICC briefly delayed Ruto's trial in September so that he could return home to deal with an attack and siege at a Nairobi mall. The siege left 72 people dead, including five attackers.
On Saturday, leaders meeting at an African Union summit in Ethiopia called for the ICC to defer the trials for Mr. Kenyatta and Ruto. They expressed concern that the world court is biased against Africans and unfairly targets African leaders.
At a Tuesday news conference, Ruto said he would continue to cooperate with the International Criminal Court but would prefer to be excused so that he could carry out his duties in Kenya.
Ruto also said that he and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta would pursue a bid to get the U.N. Security Council to delay the ICC cases against them for a year.
"We believe that there are legitimate reasons for the deferral of this case, to give Kenya the best possible chance to handle serious challenges that exist in our region, our country, on a matter that is of global concern of terrorism in our region."
The ICC is set to try President Kenyatta in November on charges of crimes against humanity. The charges against both men relate to their alleged roles in orchestrating post-election violence in 2007 and 2008.
The ICC briefly delayed Ruto's trial in September so that he could return home to deal with an attack and siege at a Nairobi mall. The siege left 72 people dead, including five attackers.
On Saturday, leaders meeting at an African Union summit in Ethiopia called for the ICC to defer the trials for Mr. Kenyatta and Ruto. They expressed concern that the world court is biased against Africans and unfairly targets African leaders.