Mr. Moreno-Ocampo said the evidence collected so far by investigators working for his office "has confirmed the fears and concerns" in the Council resolution adopted on 26 February that referred the situation in Libya to the ICC.
"The evidence collected establishes reasonable grounds to believe that widespread and systematic attacks against the civilian population have been and continue to be committed in Libya, including murder and persecution as crimes against humanity," he said.
Fifteen missions in ten different states have been conducted since the opening of the investigation, gathering 45 interviews and 569 documents. According to theses data, "the evidence shows that events in neighboring Egypt and Tunisia prompted Libyan security forces to begin preparations for the possibility of demonstrations in Libya. As early as January, mercenaries were being hired and brought into Libya".
Luis Moreno Ocampo added that 500 to 700 people have been killed in Libya in February, while 400,000 were displaced.
He already suggested that the United Nations should cooperate in implementing the arrest warrants. "Arrests cannot be successfully conducted without serious planning and preparation, which takes time. The International community should take steps now to assist on such practical planning", he said.
SM/GF
© Hirondelle News Agency