Ivory Coast warrant for Ble Goude

1 July 2011 Last updated at 19:24 GMT The Young Patriots leader, who has not been seen since April, was put under UN sanctions in 2006 Ivory Coast has issued an international arrest warrant for ex-President Laurent Gbagbo's youth militia leader, who has been on the run since April.

The prosecutor said Charles Ble Goude was accused of inciting ethnic violence and xenophobia, Reuters reports.

Known for his vitriolic speeches, he mobilised thousands of men to join the army in the final days of the stand-off after November's disputed polls.

Mr Gbagbo was removed by force after refusing to accept electoral defeat.

An estimated 3,000 people were killed before Mr Gbagbo's arrest in April.

The UN oversaw the election and said it was won by his rival Alassane Ouattara, who has since been inaugurated as Ivory Coast's president.

House arrest

Mr Ble Goude, who was put under UN sanctions in 2006 accused of inciting attacks against UN personnel, has been on the run since Mr Gbagbo's capture.

Continue reading the main story

For many weeks, people incited hatred and xenophobia and committed all kinds of atrocities”

End Quote Simplice Kouadio Koffi Public prosecutor He has reportedly been spotted in Benin and Ghana.

"Arrest warrants have been issued against suspects on the run," AFP news agency quotes public prosecutor Simplice Kouadio Koffi as saying.

Mr Gbagbo named Mr Ble Goude his youth minister after the November election when he refused to leave office.

During the four-month impasse that followed, many members of Mr Ble Goude's Young Patriots group were given weapons.

"For many weeks, people incited hatred and xenophobia and committed all kinds of atrocities," the prosecutor said, Reuters news agency reports.

Warrants have also been issued for Mr Gbagbo's former spokesman Ahoua Don Mello, former minister Philippe Attey and the ex-envoy to Israel Raymond Koudou Kessie, the prosecutor said.

On Sunday, 15 associates of Mr Gbagbo were charged with forming armed groups, economic crimes and undermining the state.

Mr Ouattara's government has promised an end to impunity, but so far only pro-Gbagbo supporters have been arrested despite the findings of a UN Human Rights Council report that both sides committed atrocities during the conflict.

Mr Gbagbo has yet to be charged and remains under house arrest in the north of the country.

The elections in Ivory Coast were meant to draw a line under a 2002-03 civil war which left the country split in two.

View the original article here

Libya rejects ICC arrest warrant

27 June 2011 Last updated at 21:10 GMT The ICC said it had grounds to believe Col Gaddafi had ordered attacks on Libyan civilians Libya has rejected a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for the arrest of Col Muammar Gaddafi, saying the tribunal has no authority.

The ICC earlier accused the Libyan leader of crimes against humanity.

The court had grounds to believe he had ordered attacks on civilians during Libya's four-month uprising, it said.

The Hague-based court also issued warrants for two of Col Gaddafi's top aides - his son Saif al-Islam and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Sanussi.

Thousands of people are believed to have been killed in the conflict.

Anti-Gaddafi forces said on Monday they had launched a new push towards Tripoli, with heavy fighting near the strategic town of Bir al-Ghanam, to the south-west of capital.

The rebel defence minister told the BBC that forces opposed to Col Gaddafi may also make a move on the capital from the east.

'Unquestioned control'

Libya's justice minister said Libya did not accept the ICC's decision to call for Col Gaddafi's arrest.

Continue reading the main story Bridget Kendall BBC News, Benghazi

This is in some way Libya's 'Wild East': Since the uprising began in February, Benghazi has become a city stocked with arms and a population of young men eager to let off exuberant volleys at the slightest provocation. But there was real passion in their reaction to the ICC's announcement.

Many in the rebels' eastern stronghold seem impatient to see their former leader brought to justice, not just for his attempts to crush their uprising, but also for what they remember as brutal oppression by his regime for more than 40 years. And many appear to be increasingly optimistic that it could happen soon.

The rebel leadership says there is still a plan to advance on Tripoli from all sides, squeeze Col Gaddafi's supporters, and undermine him through uprisings from within the city. But they also seem to be hoping they can avoid a final military showdown, and instead force the Libyan leader out of office without more bloodshed.

Mohammad al-Qamoodi told a Tripoli news conference the court was "a tool of the Western world to prosecute leaders in the third world".

He added: "The leader of the revolution and his son do not hold any official position in the Libyan government and therefore they have no connection to the claims of the ICC against them."

The warrants refer to early weeks of the uprising, from 15 February until "at least 28 February".

There were "reasonable grounds to believe" that the three men were "criminally responsible" for the murder and persecution of civilians, said a statement read out by the ICC's presiding judge, Sanji Monageng.

Col Gaddafi had absolute and unquestioned control over Libya as its undisputed leader, and had introduced a policy to quell civilian demonstrations by any means, including by the use of force, said the court.

While Saif al-Islam Gaddafi held no official position in Libya, he was "the most influential person" in Col Gaddafi's inner circle, it added.

Mr Sanussi, said the court, had "directly instructed the troops to attack civilians demonstrating" in Benghazi, the city that has become the rebels' stronghold.

The warrants had been requested by chief ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo in May, to protect Libyan civilians.

There was celebratory gunfire in the streets of the rebel stronghold of Benghazi and the besieged city of Misrata as the news emerged.

Continue reading the main story Issued against Muammar Gaddafi, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah al-Senussi For alleged criminal responsibility for the commission of murder and persecution as crimes against humanity from 15 February 2011 onwards Charges relate to actions of Libyan State apparatus and security forces in Tripoli, Benghazi, Misrata and elsewhere in LibyaThe rebel Transitional National Council's Ibrahim Dabbashi welcomed the decision, saying people close to Col Gaddafi should now urge him to step down.

"Those who are working with Gaddafi now… know that they are working with at least a suspected criminal, if they don't believe that he is a criminal," Mr Dabbashi, a former Libyan ambassador to the UN, told the BBC's Newshour programme.

"I think they have to convince Gaddafi to step down and to try to safe his life and the lives of his family."

On the military front, meanwhile, the rebels advanced some six miles (10km) towards Tripoli on Monday, says the BBC's Mark Doyle on the front line about 40 miles south-west of the capital.

The fighting was taking place on a plain of rock and sand between Bir al-Ghanem and Bir Ayyad a few miles to the south, with shells whistling overhead in both directions and plumes of smoke and sand rising into the air, he says.

The rebels seemed better armed in this strategic area than elsewhere in the country, adds our correspondent, who saw several pick-up trucks full of rebel soldiers - in clean uniforms and new-looking rocket launchers and rifles - heading for the front line.

The ICC announcement came as the international air operation in Libya, aimed at protecting civilians, entered its 100th day.

It was welcomed by Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, as well as the governments of Nato allies France, the UK and the US.

View the original article here

Warrant for Afghan ex-bank chief

28 June 2011 Last updated at 15:40 GMT Mr Fitrat has said he has no plans to return to Afghanistan from the US Afghan officials have issued an arrest warrant for the former governor of the central bank, Abdul Qadeer Fitrat.

He is being investigated in connection with massive fraud at the privately owned Kabul Bank and the printing of unauthorised amounts of currency.

Earlier, it emerged Mr Fitrat had fled Afghanistan for the US - he said his life was in danger for exposing fraud.

He said the Afghan government had hindered his attempts to investigate corruption.

Afghanistan's Deputy Attorney General Rahmatullah Nazari said he would ask the US embassy and Interpol for help in securing Mr Fitrat's arrest.

"He will be brought here to face the judiciary. We will follow him," he told the BBC.

"There are some serious charges against him. He needs to answer all of them.''

Continue reading the main story 2004: Kabul Bank founded by international poker player, Sherkhan FarnoodSeptember 2010: Kabul Bank taken over by the central bank after a run on the bank amid fears of its collapseFebruary 2011: Abdul Qadeer Fitrat, central bank governor, tells BBC those involved in bank's woes should be prosecutedFebruary 2011: An IMF report recommends the bank be put in receivershipApril 2011: Mr Fitrat, names in parliament prominent Afghan figures in connection with the Kabul Bank scandalMay 2011: Report by anti-corruption office shows $467m (?290m) of outstanding loans were made without appropriate collateralCharges made against Mr Fitrat include that he financially mismanaged the bank, sabotaged the country's economy, ignored advice from other government institutions and did not adequately observe private banks.

The US - where Mr Fitrat has residency - does not have an extradition treaty with Afghanistan. He has said he has no plans to return to Afghanistan.

The embezzlement at Kabul Bank, Afghanistan's largest private bank, almost led to its collapse last year after it was discovered that hundreds of millions of dollars had gone missing.

The bank handles up to 80% of the government payroll, including salaries for policemen and teachers.

In April, Mr Fitrat accused several key Afghan officials - including President Hamid Karzai's brother and Vice-President Qasim Fahim - of being involved. Both deny the charges.

Then on Monday, he told reporters he had had to leave the country after receiving information that his life was in danger from "credible sources".

'Difficult job'

Mr Fitrat alleges that the central government did not assist him in his investigations or provide any help in recovering the bank's assets.

Continue reading the main story Bilal Sarwary Kabul

Relations have been frosty between the West and Kabul over the issue of corruption. The case of Kabul Bank was closely followed by the international community and the Afghan people - most were hoping all those involved would be prosecuted.

Resolving the issue is crucial in ensuring aid money continues to flow into Afghanistan. The International Monetary Fund wants the Afghan government to wind down the bank before it releases a new assistance programme.

Billions of dollars in international aid hinge on that programme.

"During [the] last 10 months during the Kabul Bank crisis, I continuously pressed for the creation of a special prosecution, for the creation of a special tribunal to investigate and prosecute those who were involved in Kabul Bank's fraud," he told the BBC.

"I did not receive any information that there is a credible plan to prosecute, to investigate and prosecute these individuals. The high political authorities of the country were responsible [for blocking] these efforts," he alleged.

President Karzai has said Afghanistan lacks the necessary banking experience to oversee the central institution and has blamed foreign advisers for the crisis.

He has also pledged to ensure that those responsible are subject to criminal investigations.

The UK Department for International Development said Mr Fitrat's resignation was "regrettable", and that he had done "a difficult job handling a complex set of challenges".

"It is absolutely critical that the government of Afghanistan chooses a good quality replacement with thorough knowledge of the banking sector," it said in a statement.

View the original article here

ICC seeks Gaddafi arrest warrant

16 May 2011 Last updated at 19:16 GMT Luis Moreno-Ocampo: "Gaddafi committed the crimes with the goal of preserving his authority"

The International Criminal Court chief prosecutor is seeking the arrest of Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi and two others for crimes against humanity.

Luis Moreno-Ocampo said Col Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam, and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Sanussi bore the greatest responsibility for "widespread and systematic attacks" on civilians.

ICC judges must still decide whether or not to issue warrants for their arrest.

The Libyan government has already said it will ignore the announcement.

Deputy Foreign Minister Khalid Kaim said the court was a "baby of the European Union designed for African politicians and leaders" and its practices were "questionable".

Libya did not recognise its jurisdiction, like a few other African countries and the United States, he added.

'Inner circle' Continue reading the main story Andrew North BBC News, Tripoli

Luis Moreno-Ocampo's call for the arrest of Col Gaddafi on war crimes charges is his second for a sitting head of state. But as with his indictment of Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir, this could be just as hard to enforce.

Some fear this will only complicate efforts to bring the violence to an end, making it harder to negotiate a settlement - if potential interlocutors fear they will face future prosecution.

The Libyan authorities have already dismissed the International Criminal court as irrelevant. But the prosecutor's office says it has been getting calls from some unnamed Libyan officials offering evidence, which if true suggests some at least take the prosecutor's investigations very seriously.

And the Libyan leader, his son and his intelligence chief are now looking even more isolated.

Mr Moreno-Ocampo said that after reviewing more than 1,200 documents and 50 interviews with key insiders and witnesses, his office had evidence showing that Col Gaddafi had "personally ordered attacks on unarmed Libyan civilians".

"His forces attacked Libyan civilians in their homes and in public spaces, shot demonstrators with live ammunition, used heavy weaponry against participants in funeral processions, and placed snipers to kill those leaving mosques after prayers," he told a news conference in The Hague.

"The evidence shows that such persecution is still ongoing as I speak today in the areas under Gaddafi control. Gaddafi forces have prepared a list with names of alleged dissidents, and they are being arrested, put into prisons in Tripoli, tortured and made to disappear," he added.

Mr Moreno-Ocampo continued: "His [Col Gaddafi's] second-oldest son, Saif al-Islam, is the de facto prime minister and Sanussi, Gaddafi's brother-in-law, is his right-hand man - the executioner, the head of military intelligence. He commanded personally some of the attacks."

Continue reading the main story

The office documented how the three held meetings to plan and direct the operations”

End Quote Luis Moreno-Ocampo Prosecutor, International Criminal Court The prosecutor insisted he was "almost ready" for a trial, based on the testimony, particularly of those who had escaped from Libya.

Libya's opposition National Transitional Council praised the ICC move.

But its vice-president, Abdel Hafez Ghoga, said: "We would like him [Col Gaddafi] to be tried in Libya first before being put on trial in an international court."

Selective justice?

Earlier, Mr Moreno-Ocampo said the three men were suspected of committing crimes against humanity in two categories - murder and persecution - under the Rome Statute, which established the court.

The charges cover the days following the start of anti-government protests on 15 February. Between 500 and 700 people are believed to have been killed in that month alone.

ICC prosecutors are also studying evidence about the alleged commission of war crimes once the situation developed into an armed conflict.

This includes allegations of rape and attacks against sub-Saharan Africans wrongly perceived to be mercenaries.

An inquiry set up by the UN Human Rights Council is expected to submit its report on the alleged war crimes to the UN Security Council on 7 June.

The charges cover the days following the start of anti-government protests on 15 February

Mr Moreno-Ocampo said he was acting in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1970, which referred the situation in Libya to the ICC.

The Pre-Trial Chamber's judges may decide to accept the prosecutor's application, reject it, or ask him for more information.

If a warrant for Col Gaddafi is issued, it would only be the second time the ICC has sought a warrant for a sitting head of state.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has been indicted for genocide in Darfur.

Amnesty International said the international community must not allow justice to appear selective, because what was happening in Syria was "equal to if not worse than the situation in Libya".

Overnight, Libyan state television reported Nato aircraft had bombed an oil terminal in the eastern port of Ras Lanuf.

The alleged raid came after insurgents said they had taken full control of the western city of Misrata.

The rebels also said they had defeated two brigades of troops loyal to Col Gaddafi in the city of Zintan, south-east of Tripoli, over the weekend.

View the original article here