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By Libya Herald reporters.
Tripoli, 26 July 2014:
Those responsible for the violence against civilians in the Tripoli and Benghazi fighting could face . . .[restrict]prosecution in the Hague, the International Criminal Court has warned.
The ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said: “We will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute those who commit crimes under the Court’s jurisdiction in Libya irrespective of their official status or affiliation”. She added that the court had the right under UN Security Council resolution 1970 of 2011, to indict and prosecute any act of genocide, crime against humanity or war crime committed within the territory of Libya since 15 February 2011.
Bensouda’s statement follows the visit last week to the court by Justice Minister Salah Al-Marghani. It appears that the minister sought the backing of the court, to give weight to government demands that the fighting cease, along with the killing of civilians and and damage to state property.
Bensouda said that she was deeply troubled by the escalating violence. “Recent reports of alleged attacks carried out against the civilian population and civilian objects in Tripoli and Benghazi are a cause for great concern, she said, adding, “Such deplorable acts of violence must immediately cease”.
She demanded everyone involved in the conflict stop targeting civilians or civilian sites or committing any criminal act that might fall within the jurisdiction of the ICC. “I further urge all parties to the conflict to be vigilant and to take all necessary measures to prevent the commission of such crimes” she said. [/restrict]
