Kenyatta appears at ICC in Hague for landmark hearing

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta is appearing before the International Criminal Court (ICC) where he faces charges of crimes against humanity.

He is the first serving head of state to come before the court in The Hague.

He was summoned to appear at the ICC “status conference” after the prosecution said it did not have enough evidence to go ahead with a trial.

The charges – which Mr Kenyatta denies – concern his alleged role in violence following the 2007 elections.

More than 1,000 people died in the aftermath of the poll.

Mr Kenyatta says the charges against him are politically motivated and insists that the case should be thrown out.

The prosecution accuses the Kenyan government of obstructing the investigation.

Packed gallery

The BBC’s Anna Holligan in The Hague says there were chaotic scenes as Mr Kenyatta arrived at the ICC, where a large crowd was waiting.

The ICC wants him to explain allegations that evidence against him had been withheld by the Kenyan government – a claim rejected by Kenyan Attorney-General Githu Muigai, who appeared before the court on Tuesday. BBC