ICC: Laurent Gbagbo's request to return to Côte d'Ivoire still under study

Laurent Gbagbo on February 6, 2020 before the ICC. AFP / Jerry Lampen

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Acquitted of crimes against humanity in January 2019, Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Blé Goudé are not entirely free. If they can now leave the cities where they live, the former Ivorian president and the former head of the Young Patriots must still go through the ICC registry if they wish to join another country, including Côte d'Ivoire .

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With our correspondent in The Hague , Stéphanie Maupas

The day after the decision to alleviate the conditions imposed on the two Ivorians and rendered on May 28, Laurent Gbagbo addressed a request to the ICC registry, saying he wanted to go to Côte d'Ivoire. By order of the judges, it is up to the clerk to negotiate the conditions for such a return of the ex-president to his country, or any movement outside of Belgium where he resides today.

On the side of the ICC, it is confirmed that this request was indeed addressed and transmitted to the Ivorian authorities. Another source indicates that the request was transmitted on June 10, for three weeks, but that so far the Ivorian authorities have neither confirmed nor acknowledged receipt of the request.

At a hearing in The Hague in February , lawyers for Côte d'Ivoire opposed his return, saying they feared destabilization of the country. They added that Laurent Gbagbo could intimidate the witnesses, or flee, before the final closure of the file before the Court was pronounced.

Last week, the prosecution defended its request for appeal against the acquittal of Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Blé Goudé. The decision is not expected for several weeks. Some observers in The Hague believe that it will not be returned before the presidential election in late October.

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  • International justice
  • Laurent Gbagbo
  • Ivory Coast

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