Thaindian News

THE HAGUE (BNO NEWS) — The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday requested an arrest warrant against Libyan leaders including President Muammar Gaddafi.

The request was filed by ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo. The others listed in the petition were Saif Al Islam Gaddafi, one of the president’s son and Abdullah Al Sanousi, Libya’s head of the Intelligence agency.

The three leaders are sought for alleged crimes against humanity committed in Libya since February 2011. The ICC Prosecutor’s Office has gathered evidence that Gaddafi ordered attacks against demonstrators.

“The evidence shows that Muammar Gaddafi, personally, ordered attacks on unarmed Libyan civilians,” said Moreno-Ocampo. “His forces attacked Libyan civilians in their homes and in the public space, repressed demonstrations with live ammunition, used heavy artillery against participants in funeral processions, and placed snipers to kill those leaving mosques after the prayers.”

The ICC prosecutor added that such persecution is still ongoing in the North African country in areas still under Gaddafi’s control. Furthermore, alleged dissidents are being arrested, put into prisons in Tripoli, tortured and made to disappear.

“Most of the victims are Libyans, but the widespread and systematic attacks against them are affecting the international community as a whole. The crimes are crimes against humanity,” added Moreno-Ocampo.

The intervention of the ICC in the matter was decided by the United Nations Security Council following a request by the Arab League and the African Union. The ICC prosecution applied to Pre-Trial Chamber I for the issuance of arrests warrants against the three officials based on the evidence collected.

“The case is now before the judges. They can accept the request, reject it or ask for more evidence. In the meantime, the Office of the Prosecutor will continue its investigations,” said the ICC prosecutor.

Moreno-Ocampo stressed that the investigation will now focus on the allegations of rapes committed in Libya, attacks against sub-Saharan Africans wrongly perceived to be mercenaries, and war crimes committed by different parties during the armed conflict.

The North African country has been marred with violence since February after protests emerged against the long-standing regime of Muammar Gaddafi. NATO took control of foreign military operations in Libya on March 31 under the UN Security Council Resolution 1973, which authorizes member states to take ‘all necessary measures’ to protect civilians.

“When the time comes, implementing the arrest warrants will be the most effective way to protect civilians under attack in Libya and elsewhere. The execution of the warrants will have a deterrent impact for other leaders who are thinking of using violence to gain or retain power,” concluded Moreno-Ocampo.