05.10.11 - ICC/COTE D'IVOIRE - PROSECUTOR TO INVESTIGATE « ON BOTH SIDES »

The Hague, Octobre 5, 2011 (FH) - The Office of the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC)  has announced that he would investigate the post-electoral violence in Cote d'Ivoire "independently and on both sides".

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Monday, judges authorized Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo to investigate alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Côte d'Ivoire since the second round of presidential elections in November 2010. The UN estimates that more than 3,000 people were killed in violence that broke out when Laurent Gabgbo refused to accept the victory of the internationally recognized winner Alassane Ouattara.

«The Prosecutor has committed himself to reveal crimes perpetrated on both sides", Senegalese Amady Ba, in charge of Cooperation at the Office of the Prosecutor told Hirondelle News Agency on Tuesday. "Investigation will be led independently and unbiased", he added.

When he asked the judges in June for permission to investigate, Ocampo also sent them a confidential list of the persons he suspects of bearing the most criminal responsiblity. Gbagbo is thought to be on this list.

ER/GF 

© Hirondelle News Agency