From Reuters

Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto must attend all sessions of his trial at the International Criminal Court unless specifically excused, appeals judges ruled on Friday, putting the court at odds with Kenya and the African Union (AU).

Ruto, accused along with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta of orchestrating a wave of violence after a 2007 election, had hoped judges would uphold an earlier decision to let him stay away from large parts of his trial.

They say at least one of them must be in Kenya at all times to ensure the country is properly governed. Kenya is both East Africa’s largest economy and an ally of the West against radical Islam in the region, especially neighboring Somalia.

“The absence of the accused can only take place in exceptional circumstances and must not become the rule,” ICC president Sang-Hyun Song said, overturning a decision that had promised to defuse growing tension between the court and Kenya and its allies in Africa.

Ruto could still stay away from court for much of his trial, but judges will need to authorize each absence. That decision was hailed as “pragmatic” by a lawyer for the victims of the violence, which killed 1,200 people and uprooted tens of thousands from their homes in early 2008.

Read more at reuters.com