ICC prosecutor requests arrest warrants for Libyans for alleged crimes against humanity

[News_Editor]

ICC prosecutor requests arrest warrants for Libyans for alleged crimes against humanity

2011-05-04 22:03:17 GMT+7 (ICT)

THE HAGUE (BNO NEWS) -- International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo on Wednesday announced he will request judges to issue arrest warrants against three Libyans for alleged crimes against humanity during the ongoing civil war.

The ICC has been investigating alleged crimes committed in Libya since March, nearly a month after anti-government protests began in the North African country. The protests were met by a fierce crackdown, which included aerial bombardments, by security forces.

Moreno-Ocampo said the court has collected evidence which proves crimes have been committed in Libya. "Crimes against humanity have been and continue to be committed in Libya, attacking unarmed civilians including killings and persecutions in many cities across Libya," he said.

The names of the three suspects were not immediately released, and Moreno-Ocampo noted that ICC judges have not yet decided whether or not to issue the warrants. H

The ICC Prosecutor called on states to prepare for arrests should judges decide to issue arrest warrants. "Now is the time to start planning on how to implement possible arrest warrants," he said.

In addition, the Office of the Prosecutor will continue investigations on different forms of persecution against civilians in Tripoli and other areas, as well as commissions of rape and the unlawful arrest, mistreatment and killings of sub-Saharan Africans wrongly perceived to be mercenaries.

The Office will also investigate the alleged commission of war crimes in Libya since the end of February, including the use of imprecise weaponry such as cluster munitions, multiple rocket launchers and mortars, and other forms of heavy weaponry, in crowded urban areas.

The ongoing conflict between rebels and government forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has so far claimed at least 3,800 lives, although some estimates put the death toll as high as 10,000.

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