ICC suspends Gbagbo’s release, says prosecutor may appeal

The International Criminal Court (ICC) says it has suspended the
release of Laurent Gbagbo, former president of Côte d’Ivoire,
pending the prosecutor’s submission on the judgement passed on
Tuesday.

Earlier on Tuesday, the ICC acquitted Gbagbo of all charges,
despite the death of 3,000 Ivorians in 2010/2011.

The ICC in a statement mailed to TheCable said the office of the
prosecutor will make submissions on the Gbagbo judgement on
Wednesday.

“In a decision this morning, two of the three Judges of Trial
Chamber I of the Court in the case against Messrs Laurent Gbagbo
and Charles Blé Goudé, decided to acquit them of crimes against
humanity we allege they committed based on the evidence my Office
collected through its independent and objective investigations,”
the ICC office of the prosecutor said.

“The Judges have made their decision. The Prosecution has the
right to appeal this decision. This situation involved allegations
of serious crimes under the Rome Statute committed in the Côte
d’Ivoire.

“We will be carefully analysing the written decision of the
Trial Chamber I and its reasons when they become available and
assess the appropriate next steps.”

Fatou Bensouda, the prosecutor, said “the release of Messrs
Gbagbo and Blé Goudé has been suspended until tomorrow morning when
the Prosecution intends to make submissions on the matter before
the Trial Chamber I of the Court”.

Seh added that the ICC “investigations in the Côte d’Ivoire
continue”.

“We remain committed to our mandate under the Rome Statute and
will continue to honour it. As we do, my Office is vigorously
dedicated to doing its part, with the plight of the victims in Côte
d’Ivoire foremost and always on our minds.”