Ex-Ivory Coast President Acquitted of War Crimes

The Hague [Netherlands], Jan 16 (ANI): The International Criminal Court (ICC) here on Tuesday acquitted former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo of all charges of crimes against humanity.

Gbagbo, who served as the president of the West African country from 2001 until his arrest in 2011, was on trial for the post-election violence that happened in 2010.

The ICC said that Gbagbo was acquitted as the prosecutors were not able to prove the charges against him and Charles Ble Goude, another accused and a former minister, CNN reported.

An ICC press officer told CNN that the prosecutors could push for an extension of Gbagbo's detention and the judges are likely to hear the matter on Wednesday.

Violence broke out in Ivory Coast after Gbagbo refused to step down from his post even after his opponent Alassane Ouattara won the presidential elections in 2010.

Subsequently, massive protests took place and thousands of people were killed in the unrest, while hundreds were displaced.

Following this, Gbagbo was arrested and was put on trial at the ICC court where he faced charges of crimes against humanity in Ivory Coast, also known as Cote d'Ivoire.

Amnesty International's West and Central Africa Director, Marie-Evelyne Petrus Barry, termed the ruling as a "crushing disappointment" to the victims affected in the civil war.

"The acquittal of Gbagbo and Ble Goude will be seen as a crushing disappointment to victims of post-election violence in Cote d'Ivoire," she said. (ANI)

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