The International Criminal Court has dismissed a war crimes case against Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto, ruling that there was insufficient evidence.
The court refused to acquit one of the most senior political leaders to stand trial in The Hague, with one judge declaring it a mistrial because of a "troubling incidence of witness interference and intolerable political meddling".
Mr Ruto denied the charges of murder, deportation and persecution, which occurred following the 2007 elections in which about 1,200 people were killed.
In February the ICC banned the use of recanted witness testimony, an enormous advantage to Mr Ruto as many key witnesses changed their statements, suspected to be due to intimidation.
The BBC said,
"The ICC's decision to "terminate" charges against Kenya's deputy president effectively brings to an end the international efforts to pursue justice for the victims of violence that followed the disputed elections in 2007,
"The court's decision will come as a blow to the victims of the violence, and their families, who want to know the truth behind what happened, who was responsible - and to claim compensation."