Posted on 11/30/2011 7:19:03 AM PST by Cardhu
AP - The International Criminal Court charged former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo with murder, rape, persecution and inhuman acts Wednesday, crimes allegedly committed as his backers fought brutal battles to keep him in power after last years elections.
Gbagbo, 66, is the first former head of state taken into custody by the court since it was established in 2002, although prosecutors also have charged Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir with genocide and Libyas former leader, the late Moammar Gadhafi, with crimes against humanity.
Mr. Gbagbo is brought to account for his individual responsibility in the attacks against civilians committed by forces acting on his behalf, Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said in a statement.
Moreno-Ocampo stressed that both sides of the political divide in Ivory Coast committed crimes in the post-election chaos and that his investigation was continuing.
That statement appeared aimed at countering fears that Gbagbos arrest could further stoke tension in Ivory Coast, also known by its French name Cote dIvoire, because it gives the appearance of victors justice. Grave abuses were also committed by forces loyal to the countrys democratically elected leader, Alassane Ouattara, who enlisted the help of a former rebel group to force Gbagbo from office.
Reed Brody, of Human Rights Watch, said Gbagbos indictment was only half the story as victims of crimes by forces loyal to Ouattara have so far gone unpunished.
This created the perception of victors justice, he said in Brussels. And if the cycle of violence in Cote dIvoire is to stop there has to be justice that is even handed and justice for the victims on both sides.
A convoy of cars whisked Gbagbo to the courts detention unit close to the North Sea, following an overnight flight that touched down in the Netherlands shortly before 4 a.m. (0300 GMT) Wednesday.
(Excerpt) Read more at france24.com ...
How wonderful. I suppose Cote dIvoire is experiencing its own sort of “Arab Spring.” Laurent Gbagbois history. The question is who will now hold the country hostage. Who will do the killing and raping. Who will be the next recipient of Western aid? Who will occupy the Swiss villa? Who will be depositing millions in a Swiss bank?
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