Judges at the International Criminal Court yesterday issued an arrest warrant for Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Legalbrief reports that it marks the first time the judicial body has taken action during an ongoing conflict. The court had accused him of crimes against humanity and of ordering attacks on civilians after an uprising against him began in mid-February. In addition, The Hague-based court also issued warrants for two of Gaddafi’s top aides – his son Saif al-Islam and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Sanussi. BBC News reports that ICC presiding judge Sanji Monageng said there were ‘reasonable grounds to believe’ that Gaddafi and his son were ‘criminally responsible as indirect co-perpetrators’ for the persecution and murder of civilians in Libya. Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo earlier said he has evidence linking the trio to crimes against humanity in their attempt to put down a months-long revolt. Moreno-Ocampo told CNN shortly after filing his request with the court that he had evidence that revealed Saif al-Islam organised the recruitment of mercenaries to defend the regime and al-Sanussi participated in attacks on demonstrators. South African President Jacob Zuma President was disappointed with the decision, SABC radio news reported. ‘President Zuma is extremely disappointed and concerned on the issuing of a warrant by the ICC against Colonel Gaddafi,’ presidential spokesperson Zizi Kodwa told the state run broadcaster, notes a report on the News24 site. ‘It’s quite unfortunate that the ICC could take such a decision whilst the African Union, through its ad hoc committee, has done so much and I think the progress so far signals that there’s a commitment now from both the sides of the Libyan authority led by Colonel Gaddafi and the TNC (Transitional National Council).’ He said the issuing of the warrant undermined the work done by the AU committee. Zuma, who is on the committee, hosted the AU ad hoc high level committee on Libya in Pretoria on Sunday to discuss the implementation of the AU roadmap on Libya. The African leaders said Gaddafi had agreed to stay out of negotiations on ending Libya’s four-month political crisis.
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