Gbagbo case: Confirmation of charges hearing to start on 19 February 2013

Situation: Côte d’Ivoire
Case: The Prosecutor v. Laurent Gbagbo

On 14 December 2012, Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) set the date of the beginning of the confirmation of charges hearing in the case of The Prosecutor v. Laurent Gbagbo for 19 February 2013. 

A confirmation of charges hearing is held to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the person committed each of the crimes charged. If charges are confirmed, the Pre-Trial Chamber commits the case for trial before a Trial Chamber, which conducts the subsequent phase of the proceedings: the trial.

On 2 November 2012, the Chamber had decided that Laurent Gbagbo was fit to take part in the proceedings before the Court but that practical adjustments would need to be made, in consultation with the Defence and the Registry. The Defence and the Registry are to submit a report to the Chamber on those arrangements by 21 January 2013, including on the possibility of video-link from the detention centre.

Laurent Gbagbo allegedly bears individual criminal responsibility, as an indirect co-perpetrator, for four counts of crimes against humanity, namely murder, rape and other sexual violence, persecution and other inhuman acts, allegedly committed in the context of post-electoral violence in the territory of Côte d’Ivoire between 16 December 2010 and 12 April 2011. Laurent Gbagbo was surrendered and transferred to the ICC’s custody on 30 November 2011. His initial appearance in Court took place on 5 December 2011.

Decision on the date of the confirmation of charges hearing and proceedings leading thereto

For more information on this case, please click here. 

For further information, please contact Fadi El Abdallah, Spokesperson and Head of Public Affairs Unit, International Criminal Court, by telephone at: +31 (0)70 515-9152 or +31 (0)6 46448938 or by e-mail at: [email protected].

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