Ex-Ivory Coast president Gbagbo pleads not guilty to crimes against humanity at international court

Credit: Reuters

Former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo denied war crimes as he became the first head of state to go on trial at the International Criminal Court.

Here are the key facts about the case.

Who is standing trial?

Laurent Gbagbo, the former president of the Ivory Coast, is standing trial along with Charles Ble Goude, an ex-youth minister.

What is the case about?

The trial revolves around widespread violence which broke out after Gbagbo refused to admit defeat and step down after losing a presidential election in 2010 to his rival Alassane Ouattara.

The standoff led to a bloody clashes between supporters of the two men in which thousands died and many more were subjected to violence and rape.

Gbagbo was finally ousted and Ouattara established as president after France intervened to put an end following four months of violence over the end of 2010 and early 2011.

Violence broke out when Gbagbo tried to cling to power after losing an election Credit: Reuters

What are Gbagbo and Ble Goude accused of?

The two men both face charges of four crimes against humanity over violence committed by pro-Gbagbo groups after the disputed election.

The charges are:

  • murder

  • rape and other sexual violence

  • persecution

  • other inhuman acts

Both men have pleaded not guilty to all charges.

How are the men viewed within the Ivory Coast?

Supporters of Gbagbo gather outside the ICC to protest his trial Credit: Reuters

The trial has proved divisive and could rekindle tensions in the Ivory Coast.

Gbagbo still has many supporters, who claim that the election was stolen and the ex-leader is being targeted because he refused to bow to the wishes of former colonial ruler France.

Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the court today to protest his innocence.

President Ouattara is also accused over the post-election violence, and the ICC prosecutor has said she has stepped up investigations into his camp.

What is the significance for the ICC?

The trial is hugely significant for the court and is likely to prove a key test of its credibility.

Gbagbo is the highest-profile person to stand trial at the international court, which has been accused of failing to pursue other high-profile figures accused of atrocities.

So far, the ICC has only only convicted two little-known Congolese warlords since it was established in 2002.

The court was branded "amateur" last year after its case against Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta collapsed when one witness refused to testify and another admitted lying.