Key hearing in Laurent Gbagbo Case set for February

Mr. Laurent Gbagbo

The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I has scheduled the confirmation of charges hearing, in the case against former Côte d’Ivoire president Laurent Gbagbo, for 19 February 2013. The hearing will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to link Laurent Gbagbo to the alleged crimes committed in order for the case to move forward to trial. Mr. Gbagbo is charged with crimes against humanity including rape, murder, other sexual violence, persecution and other inhuman acts.

Mr. Gbagbo’s Defence had previously argued for the hearing to be postponed arguing Mr. Gbagbo’s state of health made him unfit to stand trial. In late 2012 pre-trial judges found Mr. Gbagbo fit to stand trial while the Appeals Chamber confirmed the Court’s jurisdiction over violent events that followed the Côte d’Ivoire disputed 2010 elections, upon which the charges against him are based.

Mr. Laurent Gbagbo