Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Ble Goude Hearing

The International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands is holding a hearing the case of The Prosecutor v. Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Ble Goude.

Laurent Gbagbo was accused of having engaged his individual criminal responsibility for four counts of crimes against humanity, in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, jointly with members of his inner circle and through members of the pro-Gbagbo forces (article 25(3)(a) of the Rome Statute) or, in the alternative, for ordering soliciting and inducing the commission of these crimes (article 25(3)(b) of the Rome Statute) or, in the alternative, for contributing in any other way to the commission of these crimes (article 25(3)(d) of the Rome Statute): murder, rape, other inhumane acts or – in the alternative – attempted murder, and persecution.

These crimes were allegedly committed between 16 and 19 December 2010 during and after a pro-Ouattara march on the RTI headquarters, on 3 March 2011 at a women’s demonstration in Abobo, on 17 March 2011 by shelling a densely populated area in Abobo, and on or around 12 April 2011 in Yopougon.

Mr Ble Goude was accused of having engaged his individual criminal responsibility for committing these crimes, alternatively, as indirect co-perpetrator (under article 25(3)(a)), ordering, soliciting or inducing (25(3)(b)), aiding, abetting or otherwise assisting (25(3)(c)) or contributing in any other way to the commission of these crimes (25(3)(d) of the Rome Statute).

On 15 January 2019, Trial Chamber I, by majority, acquitted Mr Laurent Gbagbo and Mr Charles Blé Goudé from all charges of crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Côte d’Ivoire in 2010 and 2011.

On 1 February 2019, the Appeals Chamber set conditions to be imposed on Mr Gbagbo and Mr Blé Goudé upon their release to a State willing to accept them on its territory and willing and able to enforce the conditions set by the Chamber. On 16 July 2019, Trial Chamber I filed the written full reasons for the acquittal of  Mr Laurent Gbagbo and Mr Charles Blé Goudé. On 16 September 2019, the Prosecutor filed a notice of appeal against this decision.

On 31 March 2021, the Appeals Chamber confirmed, by majority, the acquittal decision of 15 January 2019.

The acquittal of Mr Gbagbo and Mr Blé Goudé is now final. The Appeals Chamber revoked all conditions on the release of Mr Gbagbo and Mr Blé Goudé. The Chamber directed the ICC Registrar to make arrangements for the safe transfer of Mr Gbagbo and Mr Blé Goudé to a receiving State or States.

World Justice News shows the Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Ble Goude Hearing free. Click here to see the live court stream schedule for the day.