They argue that their client’s health has so far prevented him from “bringing a significant contribution to the preparation of the hearings”.
The former Ivorian President is charged for crimes against humanity committed between December 16 2010 and April 2012.
His lead counsel Emmanuel Altit explained in his request that Gbagbo’s health problems combined to the defence lack of means should lead to a report of the hearings.
On December 28, Gbagbo was granted legal aid. Despite investigations undertaken since his transfer from Côte d'Ivoire at the end of November, the financial investigator appointed by the ICC has found no trace of assets attributable to the former president.
However, Emmanuel Altit has been claiming since the beginning of the case that it was “particularly difficult and complex”, requesting more means.
SM/GF