November 30th, 2011
02:42 AM ET

Former Ivory Coast president in international court custody

Former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo arrived Wednesday at the International Criminal Court in The Hague to stand trial for his role in his country's post-election violence that killed thousands.

"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, allegedly committed in the territory of CĂ´te d'Ivoire between 16 December 2010 and 12 April 2011," the court said in a statement.

He was flown out of the northern city of Khorogo, where he had been under house arrest, on an airplane of the Ivorian government Tuesday evening, said his adviser, Toussaint Alain.

Alain called it an illegal transfer. "The international court has taken an illegal action. This is a political decision rather than a decision of justice," Alain said.

The action comes a week before parliamentary elections. Three political parties in an umbrella coalition (CNRD) with Gbagbo's Front Populaire Ivorien issued a statement saying they would boycott the elections as a result of Gbagbo's transfer.

Last month, the chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, arrived in Ivory Coast to meet with government and opposition leaders and began an inquiry into the West African nation's post-election violence.

In his application to the judges for authorization to investigate possible war crimes and crimes against humanity, Moreno-Ocampo cited sources who said at least 3,000 people were killed, 72 people disappeared and 520 others were subject to arbitrary arrest and detentions since the November 28, 2010

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Filed under: Crime • Justice • World
soundoff (7 Responses)
  1. Cal

    And what about his henchmen? Surely he didn't do all of that by himself! And when are they going to arrest the Pope and all the cardinals and priests for their crimes against humanity? Thousands upon thousands of children ra.ped and terrorized and it was all covered up. Where's the justice for them? Or anybody when all it takes is money or threats to get away with anything?

    November 30, 2011 at 3:22 am | Report abuse |
    • Cal

      Good post, Cal. I've seen better and I've seen worse. Good luck getting justice in this world you poor sap....

      November 30, 2011 at 4:14 am | Report abuse |
  2. henry

    Good start but what about Bush why is he not in Holland

    November 30, 2011 at 10:11 am | Report abuse |
  3. J

    Selective justice at it's best! Cheney and bush are walking money today. Upon million plus souls they've made their futune. But the UN refused a recount, invaded ci and brought in foreigners to kill innocent citizens of ci and now their arresting the democratically elected president of the people – L. Gbagbo. Sure these are the final days, and what will be will be. European leaders and our American leaders are not promoting human rights as it is ok they abuse any nation and the poles of the world for a walk to the bank. And you wonder why there's protest everywhere? ICC is a joke...

    November 30, 2011 at 11:31 am | Report abuse |
    • Joey Isotta-Fraschini

      Thank you, J. You said it all.

      November 30, 2011 at 5:20 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Space cowboy

    Ihate to say this but sh!t does run back up hill

    December 1, 2011 at 7:08 am | Report abuse |
  5. Space cowboy

    Ihate to say this but sh!t does run back up hill , its probably a situation where the us was involved.

    December 1, 2011 at 7:11 am | Report abuse |
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