The Chief Prosecutor of the international Criminal Court Fatou Bensouda has released a statement following the acquittal of the Former President of Ivory Coast,Laurent Gbagbo by the International Criminal Court and pointed out that theProsecutor has a right of appeal.
She stated also that the former President will not be released until the prosecutors make a submission beforw the court tomorrow.
Her statement obtained by Courtroom Mail states as follows:
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 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.
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.
I should also add that our 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.
