| ICC Seeking Warrant for Al Qathafi and Two Other Family Members ‘For Crimes Against Humanity’ 16/05/2011 17:28:00 | ||
| The International Criminal Court chief prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo is seeking the arrest of Libyan leader Col Muammar Al Qathafi, his second son Saif, and his brother-in-law and Libyan intelligence chief, Abdullah al-Sabussi, and for crimes against humanity. According to the International Court, the three bore the greatest responsibility for “widespread and systematic attacks” on civilians. Now it will be up to the ICC judges to decide whether or not to issue warrants for their arrest. Claiming that the ICC was a “baby of the European Union designed for African politicians and leaders,” and that its practices were “questionable,” Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khalid Kaim said Libya does not recognize the court’s its jurisdiction. He said that like most African countries and the United States, Libya and would ignore any such announcement. Luis Moreno-Ocampo’s call for the arrest of Al Qathafi 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, particularly if he fails to leave the country. Observers feel that the ICC’s decision could 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 BBC reports that 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. What is certain the fact, that 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 Al Qathafi had “personally ordered attacks on unarmed Libyan civilians”. The ICC chief went on to tell a news conference in The Hague, that the crimes are ongoing, including killings and torture. “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 said. Mr Moreno-Ocampo said: “The evidence shows that such persecution is still ongoing as I speak today in the areas under Al Qathafi control. Al Qathafi forces have prepared a list with names of alleged dissidents, and they are being arrested, put into prisons in Tripoli and tortured,” he added. The ICC prosecutor claimed that Col Al Qathafi had “committed the crimes with the goal of preserving his absolute authority”. “The evidence shows that Al Qathafi relied on his inner circle to implement a systematic policy of suppressing any challenge to his authority.” “His second-oldest son, Seif al-Islam, is the de facto prime minister and Sanussi, Al Qathafi’s brother-in-law, is his right-hand man – the executioner, the head of military intelligence. He commanded personally some of the attacks.” The office reportedly, “documented how the three held meetings to plan and direct the operations”. The three “held meetings to plan and direct the operations”, he alleged. “The office gathered direct evidence about orders issued by Muammar Al Qathafi himself, direct evidence of Seif al-Islam organising the recruitment of mercenaries and direct evidence of the participation of Sanussi in the attacks against demonstrators.” The prosecutor insisted he was almost ready for a trial, based on the quality and quantity of the testimony – particularly of those who had escaped from Libya. 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 February 15. 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, including allegations of rape and attacks against sub-Saharan Africans wrongly perceived to be mercenaries reported. 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 June 7. Mr Moreno-Ocampo said he was acting in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1970, which referred the situation in Libya to the ICC, and stressed the need to hold to account those responsible for attacks on civilians. The Pre-Trial Chamber’s judges may decide to accept the prosecutor’s application, reject it, or ask him for additional information. If a warrant for Col Al Qathafi 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. Meanwhile, according to Libyan state media, on Sunday, Libyan Prime Minister al-Baghdadi Ali al-Mahmoudi told the UN’s special envoy, Abdul Ilah al-Khatib, that his country wanted “an immediate ceasefire to coincide with a halt to the NATO bombardment and the acceptance of international observers. He added that, “Libya was committed to the unity of its territory and people, and Libyans had the right to decide on their internal affairs and political system through democratic dialogue away from the bombing threat”. Shortly after, Libyan state television reported that NATO aircraft had bombed an oil terminal in the eastern port of Ras Lanuf. Thatg was after rebel fighters said they had taken full control of the western city of Misrata. |
ICC Seeking Warrant for Al Qathafi and Two Other Family Members ‘For Crimes Against Humanity
**Amin Ahmed** is a Libyan journalist and contributor at TripoliPost, reporting on current affairs, business, and regional developments. With a keen eye for detail and a dedication to fair, balanced journalism, he delivers stories that keep readers informed about Libya and the world beyond its borders. He can be reached at amin.ahmed@tripolipost.com
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