The former president of Côte d'Ivoire has been indicted for his responsibility as indirect co-author of the crimes perpetrated by "the Ivorian Defence and Security Forces ("FDS"), reinforced by the pro-Gbagbo youth militia and mercenaries, in Abidjan, including around the Golf Hotel, and elsewhere in the country", the indictment reads.
The Court underlined that pro-Gbagbo forces "targeted civilians who they believed were supporters of Mr Ouattara, and the attacks were often directed at specific ethnic or religious communities".
Judges added that "a plan existed between Mr Gbagbo and his inner circle and that they were aware that implementing it would (...) lead to the commission of the offences. The pro-Gbagbo forces that put the policy into effect did so by almost automatic compliance with the orders they received".
Charges will be officially notified to Laurent Gbagbo during a preliminary hearing next week.
Prosecutor of the ICC, Luis Moreno Ocampo, declared on Tuesday that his investigation in Côte d'Ivoire was going on : "We will bring further cases before the Judges, irrespective of political affiliation", he said.
SM/GF
© Hirondelle News Agency