The Prosecutor v. Gbagbo

The Prosecutor v. Simone Gbagbo

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Simone Gbagbo

Former First Lady of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire

  • Allegations & Charges

      Factual Allegations

      Simone Gbagbo was the First Lady during the Presidency of her husband, Laurent Gbagbo, from 2000-2010. The ICC Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) alleges that Ms. Gbagbo was close to her husband ideologically and professionally, often acting as his “alter ego.” Ms. Gbagbo allegedly had the power to make decisions on behalf of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and attended and participated in meetings where Gbagbo and his close advisors discussed their plan to retain Gbagbo’s power by any means. The OTP alleges that Ms. Gbagbo played a key role in recruiting and arming pro-Gbagbo youth militias which were integrated into the Ivorian Defense and Security Forces (FDS). Ms. Gbagbo allegedly approved the plans of or gave instructions to pro-Gbagbo forces to attack civilians perceived to support Ouattara, often targeting civilians in specific ethnic or religious communities.

      Please visit the Court’s website for more information on The Prosecutor v. Simone Gbagbo.

      Charges

      The Accused is alleged to have committed the crimes listed below as an individual, jointly with another or through another person under Article 25(3)(a) of the Rome Statute.

      Under this mode of criminal liability, the Accused is charged with the following atrocity crimes:

      Murder (Crime against Humanity): Article 7(1)(a)

      Rape and Sexual Violence (Crime against Humanity): Article 7(1)(g)-1, (g)-6

      Persecution (Crime against Humanity): Article 7(1)(h)

      Other Inhuman Acts (Crime against Humanity): Article 7(1)(k)

  • Key Events

    • Pre-Trial Chamber III issued a sealed arrest warrant for Gbagbo on February 29, 2012, which was unsealed on November 22, 2012. She was tried for election violence in Côte d’Ivoire but has not been extradited to the ICC.

    • Arrest warrant

      Arrest Warrant Issued : February 29, 2012

    • Decision on admissibility
      Press release

      Decision on Admissiblity : December 11, 2014

    • Decision on confirmation of admissibility
      Press release

      Confirmation of Admissibility : May 27, 2015