Libya: ICC issues arrest warrant for Gaddafi
By John Stephen Katende
27th June 2011:
Col. Gaddafi: Indicted by ICC for war crimes
The International Criminal Court [ICC] sitting in The Hague has today issued the long anticipated arrest warrants against the embattled Libyan Leader Col. Muammar Gaddafi and his intelligence Chief. Col Gaddafi is accused of personally ordering attacks on civilians
The ICC accused Gaddafi of crimes against humanity and of ordering attacks on civilians after an uprising against his 42 year autocratic rule began nearly four months ago in February. The ICC also issued warrants for two of Col Gaddafi’s top aides – his son Saif al-Islam and intelligence Chief Abdullah al-Sanussi.
Judge Sanji Monageng who heard ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo’s submissions said there were “reasonable grounds to believe” that Col. Gaddafi and his son were “…criminally responsible as indirect co-perpetrators” for the persecution and murder of civilians in Libya.
In May, Ocampo had said Gaddafi and his aides were responsible “…widespread and systematic attacks” on civilians. Mr Moreno-Ocampo also said the court had evidence that Col Gaddafi had “…personally ordered attacks on unarmed Libyan civilians and was behind the arrest and torture of his political opponents”.
Officials in Gaddafi’s regime have in the past maintained that Libya does not recognise the legitimacy of the ICC arguing that the court was only preoccupied with pursuing African leaders. END. Please login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.
