Africa
ICC finds evidence of crimes by Libyan regime
Chief prosecutor says he will pursue up to five warrants over crimes against
humanity committed against civilians.
Last Modified: 04 May 2011 06:14
Chief prosecutor says the Gaddafi regime carried out "systemic" attacks against
civilians [AFP]
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) says he has
unearthed "enough evidence" to pursue up to five warrants for crimes against
humanity committed by forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader.
Luis Moreno-Ocampo made the announcement on Tuesday, a day before he was to
brief the UN Security Council on his investigation into alleged crimes commited
by Gaddafi's forces.
Gaddafi's forces have been battling rebels who are seeking to end the Libyan
leader's more than 40-year rule. The fighting has resulted in human misery and
led to allegations of excesses being committed against civilians.
The investigation was ordered by the UN Secuirty Council when it passed
resolutions in February allowing military action to protect civilians and
sanctions against Gaddafi.
"We have been collecting evidence about crimes against humanity committed in
Libya," Moreno-Ocampo told the AFP news agency.
He said he believed he had enough evidence for cases to be launched.
"We have security forces shooting civilians at demonstrations and evidence of
security forces arresting people in different cities, including Tripoli, even
today, because they think these people are not loyal," the prosecutor said.
He said there had been a "massive arrest" of people who are not considered
loyal.
"In Libya it is illegal to challenge the story. They are arresting people who
talk to journalists, and then they are torturing them."
Rape as a weapon
Moreno-Ocampo also said there were allegations that Africans from other nations
had been attacked in rebel territory because they were thought to be
mercenaries.
Alleged criminal incidents include security forces opening live fire at unarmed
peaceful protesters, using rape as well as "systemic arrests, torture,
killings, deportations, enforced disappearances and destruction of mosques" as
a weapon, according to the prosecutor's report released on Wednesday.
While a precise number is hard to provide, up to 700 people were killed in
February alone, the report said. Gaddafi estimates that "only 150 or 200" have
been killed.
Moreno-Ocampo said the exact number of cases pursued is yet to be decided, but
between one and five will be presented to the Security Council.
"We are still defining who are the most responsible according to the evidence,"
he said without giving the specific names of suspects.
"I will inform the Security Council that we are ready, we will present the
case. They can plan in advance how the warrants will be executed."
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has said almost 40,000 people
have fled fighting in western Libya last month.
Source:
Al Jazeera and agencies
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