ICC Prosecutor arrives in Libya

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Today 22 November 2011, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrived in Tripoli, Libya. Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo and Deputy Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda lead a delegation which will meet with Libyan authorities as part of coordination efforts following the arrest of Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi and unconfirmed reports regarding the arrest of Abdullah Al-Senussi.

Prosecutor Moreno-Ocampo said "Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah Al-Senussi must face justice. In resolution 1970, the UN Security Council referred the situation in Libya to the ICC and required the Libyan authorities to cooperate with the Court. I will talk to the national authorities and seek information about proposed national proceedings in order to assist us in analysing the admissibility of the case against Saif Gaddafi and Abdullah Al-Senussi and to understand their plans moving ahead. Their arrest is a crucial step in bringing to justice those most responsible for crimes committed in Libya. This is not a military or political issue, it is a legal requirement.”

Warrants of arrest for Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah Al-Senussi were issued by ICC judges on 27 June 2011. "The issue of where the trials will be held has to be resolved through consultations with the Court. In the end, the ICC judges will decide, there are legal standards which will have to be adhered to," said the Prosecutor.

The Office continues its impartial investigation in Libya.

The International Criminal Court is an independent, permanent court that investigates and prosecutes persons accused of the most serious crimes of international concern, namely genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Florence Olara (English)
OTP Public Information Officer
Florence.olara@icc-cpi.int
+31 (0)70 515 8723 (office)
+31 (0) 6 5029 4476 (mobile)

Mr. Islam Shalabi (Arabic)
+31 6 5248 5013

Source: Office of the Prosecutor