Ex-president held for 'crimes against humanity'
Source: Agencies |
December 1, 2011, Thursday
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IVORY Coast's former president Laurent Gbagbo will appear before the International Criminal Court in The Hague within days to face charges of crimes against humanity, making him the first former head of state to be tried by the court since its inception in 2002.
Gbagbo, 66, was arrested and taken from Ivory Coast to the Netherlands overnight.
He is likely to be joined by other high-level suspects from both sides of the conflict, court prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said.
About 3,000 people were killed and more than a million displaced in a four-month civil war in Ivory Coast after Gbagbo refused to cede power to Alassane Ouattara after last year's election.
In a statement, the court said: "Mr Gbagbo allegedly bears individual criminal responsibility, as indirect co-perpetrator, for four counts of crimes against humanity, namely murder, rape and other forms of sexual violence, persecution and other inhuman acts."
Gbagbo's detention was welcomed by human rights groups but could prove divisive in Ivory Coast and trigger unrest among his supporters. Ivory Coast is due to hold a parliamentary election next month that Gbagbo's party is boycotting to protest against the treatment of top party officials arrested in connection with the conflict.
Gbagbo's sudden arrest may also serve as a reminder to politicians in Democratic Republic of Congo where the results of Monday's election are being challenged. The ICC prosecutor has warned Congolese politicians to avoid electoral violence or risk facing the court.
Gbagbo will make an initial appearance in court within a few days where he will be informed of his rights and the charges against him. Moreno-Ocampo said: "It is exactly a year since the presidential election that led to one of the worst episodes of violence Ivory Coast has ever known, with ordinary Ivorians suffering immensely, and crimes allegedly committed by both parties.
"We have evidence that the violence did not happen by chance - widespread and systematic attacks against civilians perceived as supporting the other candidate were the result of a deliberate policy."
The prosecutor said crimes were committed by both parties and he expected to bring more cases before the court irrespective of political affiliation.
Gbagbo, 66, was arrested and taken from Ivory Coast to the Netherlands overnight.
He is likely to be joined by other high-level suspects from both sides of the conflict, court prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said.
About 3,000 people were killed and more than a million displaced in a four-month civil war in Ivory Coast after Gbagbo refused to cede power to Alassane Ouattara after last year's election.
In a statement, the court said: "Mr Gbagbo allegedly bears individual criminal responsibility, as indirect co-perpetrator, for four counts of crimes against humanity, namely murder, rape and other forms of sexual violence, persecution and other inhuman acts."
Gbagbo's detention was welcomed by human rights groups but could prove divisive in Ivory Coast and trigger unrest among his supporters. Ivory Coast is due to hold a parliamentary election next month that Gbagbo's party is boycotting to protest against the treatment of top party officials arrested in connection with the conflict.
Gbagbo's sudden arrest may also serve as a reminder to politicians in Democratic Republic of Congo where the results of Monday's election are being challenged. The ICC prosecutor has warned Congolese politicians to avoid electoral violence or risk facing the court.
Gbagbo will make an initial appearance in court within a few days where he will be informed of his rights and the charges against him. Moreno-Ocampo said: "It is exactly a year since the presidential election that led to one of the worst episodes of violence Ivory Coast has ever known, with ordinary Ivorians suffering immensely, and crimes allegedly committed by both parties.
"We have evidence that the violence did not happen by chance - widespread and systematic attacks against civilians perceived as supporting the other candidate were the result of a deliberate policy."
The prosecutor said crimes were committed by both parties and he expected to bring more cases before the court irrespective of political affiliation.
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