CNN reported that the International Criminal Court will seek arrest warrants for three Libyans, including Moammar Gadhafi. The court’s Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampois expected to announce the warrants on Monday for crimes against humanity.
The represents the first time that the court has investigated human rights abuses as a conflict is taking place. The allegations include security forces killing unarmed protesters, forced displacement, illegal detentions and airstrikes on civilians.
According to Moreno-Ocampo, officials have been investigating Libya since February 15 when demonstrations against the Gadhafi regime became more widespread. Since that time, a civil war has broke out over the north African nation as the Libyan leader has refused to step down and wants to hold on to his power. Moreno-Campo has to present all his evidence to a panel of judges before the court in The Hague, Netherlands, can decide whether to issue arrest warrants. The process can take time.
In Benghazi, hundreds of protesters marched in the street over the weekend asking for justice against the Gadhafi regime for their crimes. “We want to pressure the International Criminal Court (ICC) to arrest Gadhafi,” Najla Hakim, an event organizer with Libya’s February 17th Youth group, told CNN.
“We want Gadhafi to be arrested and then possibly executed,” said Noha Salem, a protester who marched along Amr ibn Alas Street near the old section of Benghazi.
“All Libyans have been affected by those crimes, even little kids,” she added. “He has been committing atrocities since 1969, not just since the start of this revolution.”
The United Nations, meanwhile, is trying to negotiate a cease fire between Gadhafi’s forces and rebel fighters. Gadhafi broadcast an audio message declaring he is in a place that he cannot be killed, ending some speculation that the longtime leader was seriously injured in one of the NATO bombing campaigns.
On The Web
- ICC Requests Arrest Warrants ‘For Gaddafi’ (news.sky.com)
- Italy expects Gadhafi international arrest warrant (sfgate.com)
