Laurent Gbagbo transferred to the ICC after the issuance of an arrest warrant
Former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo was arrested and flown to The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity, for murder, rape, sexual violence, persecution and inhumane acts committed between November 2010 and May 2011 targeting civilians believed to be supporters of Alassane Quattara. This move follows the issuance of the warrant of arrest by the ICC.
Mr. Gbagbo will make an initial appearance in court within a few days, where he will be informed of his rights and the charges brought against him.
Although Côte d'Ivoire has not ratified the Treaty of the Court, it has accepted the court’s jurisdiction.
Gbagbo's arrest and detention in The Hague was welcomed by human rights groups, although some NGOs are asking the ICC to also accelerate its investigations on allegations of crimes committed by supporters of Alassane Quattara during the presidential election as well as subsequent to the arrest of Laurent Gbagbo in April 2011. They perceive fair and impartial justice addressing all sides of the conflict as the only way that will help bring justice and reconciliation among the Ivoirians and also to help the Court avoid criticisms of bias and partiality.
On his part, the prosecutor noted that crimes were committed by both parties in the election, and that he would bring more cases before the court irrespective of political affiliations. Mr. Gbagbo, is one of between two and six people the ICC prosecutor has said he wants to focus on in a civil war that killed about 3,000 people and displaced more than a million.
Gbagbo's arrest marks a big breakthrough for the ICC prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, who has up to now struggled to get hold of some of his biggest targets.