Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Former President of Cote d'Ivoire Transferred to ICC Following Sealed Arrest Warrant


Photo: Associated Press

On November 30, Laurent Gbagbo, the former president of Cote d'Ivoire, was transferred to the International Criminal Court in The Hague on allegations of crimes against humanity. The four charges include murder, rape and other forms of sexual violence, persecution and other inhuman acts, allegedly committed in Cote d’Ivoire between December 2010 and April 2011, in the aftermath of a disputed election.

The ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber issued a sealed arrest warrant for Gbagbo on November 23. He is the first former head of state to be arrested and transferred to the ICC. Gbagbo is charged as an "indirect perpetrator" of these crimes. He is scheduled to appear promptly before the Pre-Trial Chamber.

The ICC Prosecutor, in a statement, pledged to continue the investigation.