ICC Upholds Acquittal Of Ivorian Ex-President Gbagbo

The International Criminal Court has upheld the acquittals of former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo and former minister Charles Ble Goude on charges of involvement in deadly post-election violence.

In 2019 both were cleared of responsibility for crimes including murder, rape and persecution following disputed elections in 2010, with judges saying prosecutors did not prove their case.

The decision halted the trial before defense lawyers had even presented their evidence.

The prosecution appealed against the decision to clear Laurent Gbagbo, arguing there were procedural errors in how the original verdict was delivered.

They insisted that thousands of documents and 96 witnesses presented during the trial, had proved his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

But presiding Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji said that the appeals chamber, by majority, has found no error that could have materially affected the decision of the trial chamber.

However, this exoneration paves the way for Laurent Gbagbo’s, return to Ivory Coast, where he remains an influential figure.

His successor and rival, President Alassane Ouattara, has invited him to return to Ivory Coast, which is still striving for political stability.

In the meantime In Ivory Coast his supporters gathered on the grass outside the court were jubilant there was dancing and singing in main city of Abidjan.