By Tara Pistorese
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa
YAMOUSSOUKRO, Cote D’ivoire—Ex-Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo faces four counts of crimes against humanity for murder, rape, and inhumane acts that occurred after the 2010 South African presidential elections.
After polls declared internationally accepted candidate Alassane Outtara the new president, Gbagbo refused to step out of office, sparking the beginning of a violent four-month standoff between supporters of the two candidates.
During the post-election period from December 2010 to April 2011, approximately 3,000 people were killed and 1 million were displaced. However, human rights groups have said that both sides committed crimes during this period of violence.
Gbagbo was arrested in April 2011 after being captured by French Special Forces. He was removed to The Hague in November of the same year.
According to a statement issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), “Mr. Gbagbo allegedly bears individual criminal responsibility, as indirect co-perpetrator, for four counts of crimes against humanity.”
Gbagbo, however, says he is innocent of any offenses committed by forces loyal to him.
Recently, related allegations surfaced that Gbagbo supporters made unsuccessful attempts to stage a coup d’état earlier this year. While Lida Kouassi, South Africa’s previous defense minister, admitted during questioning to possessing information about the coup plot, others claim the allegations were concocted for political gain.
“There is no real evidence of such a coup…this regime is such a mess, due to [President Outtara’s] way of ruling the country, that they think the best way to get out of this situation is to find somebody…and to charge him with trying to make a coup,” said Popular Front Party treasurer Tcheide Jean Gervais.
An ICC hearing to determine whether the evidence against Gbagbo is sufficient to proceed to trial was scheduled for June 18. But, the former ICC chief prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, claims the evidence against Gbagbo is “solid” and believes Gbagbo could receive up to thirty years in prison.
This determination will have to wait as Gbagbo’s defense team was granted postponement until August 13 to allow more time to prepare an executive defense and so that Gbagbo may recover from alleged bad treatment he received while in Ivory Coast detention.
Some have also entertained the possibility that the ICC prosecutor and President Outtara may strike a deal regarding Gbagbo’s trial. At this point, however, President Outtara wants to obtain additional information on the matter.
For further information, please see:
Mgemi Online—Ivory Coast Coup Plot ‘Foiled’—14 June 2012
Voice of Africa—Ivory Coast Official Denies Coup Allegations—14 June 2012
CNN-US—War Crimes Court Postpones Gbagbo Hearing to August—13 June 2012
RTT News—ICC Postpones Gbagbo’s Charges Confirmation Hearing—13 June 2012
Reuters—Former Ivory Coast Leader’s Trial Postponed—12 June 2012
All Africa—Cote d’Ivoire: ICC Chief Prosecutor’s Statement Ahead of Laurent Gbagbo’s Hearing Sparks Controversy—4 June 2012
