LIBYA: International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo says people building own case against Saif al-Islam Gaddafi and former intelligence chief Abdullah Senussi
Record ID:
346567
LIBYA: International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo says people building own case against Saif al-Islam Gaddafi and former intelligence chief Abdullah Senussi
- Title: LIBYA: International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo says people building own case against Saif al-Islam Gaddafi and former intelligence chief Abdullah Senussi
- Date: 22nd April 2012
- Summary: TRIPOLI, LIBYA (APRIL 21, 2012) (REUTERS) (*** FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY ***) INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT (ICC) CHIEF PROSECUTOR LUIS MORENO-OCAMPO WALKING INTO NEWS CONFERENCE PHOTOGRAPHER TAKING PICTURES (SOUNDBITE) (English) INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT (ICC) CHIEF PROSECUTOR LUIS MORENO-OCAMPO SAYING: "We understand Libya, on April the 30th, will present its arguments why Libya want to do the trial of Saif (al-Islam) Gaddafi and (former intelligence chief Abdullah) Senussi here. The chairman of NTC explained to me very clearly that Libya is very grateful for the intervention of the International Criminal Court. In fact many officers told me some of them were in jail when we issued (an) arrest warrant against (Muammar) Gaddafi and how important for them to feel that the world was with them. But now Libya has its own authorities and Libya wants to do the case itself." JOURNALISTS AND OFFICIALS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (English) ICC CHIEF PROSECUTOR LUIS MORENO-OCAMPO SAYING: "We had a first investigation against Saif and Senussi, but we have a second investigation, including rapes committed around Libya. I understand the traditions, and that's why I understand it's so difficult, but also I understand how important it is to raise the issue. You know, my office investigates rapes in different countries, and it's very important for the victims that the leaders talk about their suffering. Because in Libya we don't need to name the victims, we don't need to expose their identity, but it is very important to recognise in the same way that some of the fighters lost their arm or their leg, and these are medals for them. Similarly, the girls, the boys, who were raped are also heroes, they suffered because they were promoting change." MORENO-OCAMPO IN NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) ICC CHIEF PROSECUTOR LUIS MORENO-OCAMPO SAYING: "Where is Saif is a matter for the national authorities, respecting Saif's well-being is also a matter for the national authority. So I think if he's in Zintan, the authorities in Zintan have to ensure that Saif is not mistreated. In our conversations, including with U.N. people, everyone feels comfortable that he is not mistreated. He's respected." JOURNALIST ASKING A QUESTION IN NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 7th May 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Libya, Libya
- Country: Libya
- Topics: International Relations,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAC01AA920YBWFO5JLBXEU0PVCJ
- Story Text: The International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said on Saturday (April 21) that Libya was gathering its own evidence in the case against Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the former leader's most prominent son, and Gaddafi's brother-in-law and intelligence chief Abdullah Senussi.
Moreno-Ocampo said the Libyan prosecutor had thus far gathered more than 30 witnesses, documents and communications interceptions as they build a case against the two senior Gaddafi-era figures.
The ICC has demanded that Libya hand over Saif al-Islam to The Hague to face trial there, but Libya has appealed the decision and will be able to try Saif on home soil if they can prove before the end of the month that they are capable of holding a fair trial for him.
"We understand Libya on April the 30, will present its arguments why Libya want to do the trial of Saif (al-Islam) Gaddafi and (former intelligence chief Abdullah) Senussi here. The chairman of NTC explained to me very clearly that Libya is very grateful for the intervention of the International Criminal Court. In fact many officers told me some of them were in jail when we issued (an) arrest warrant against (Muammar) Gaddafi and how important for them to feel that the world was with them. But now Libya has its own authorities and Libya wants to do the case itself," Moreno-Ocampo told reporters.
Moreno-Ocampo has been in the country for four days, visiting the coastal war-ravaged city of Misrata on Friday (April 20) to investigate claims of systematic mass rape by pro-Gaddafi forces against civilians in the area which saw some of the conflict's heaviest fighting.
The prosecutor urged a change in mentality in Libya's conservative society and leadership which often views cases of rape as a mark of shame for the victims as well as the perpetrators.
"We had a first investigation against Saif and Senussi, but we have a second investigation, including rapes committed around Libya. I understand the traditions, and that's why I understand it's so difficult, but also I understand how important it is to raise the issue. You know, my office investigates rapes in different countries, and it's very important for the victims that the leaders talk about their suffering. Because in Libya we don't need to name the victims, we don't need to expose their identity, but it is very important to recognise in the same way that some of the fighters lost their arm or their leg, and these are medals for them. Similarly, the girls, the boys, who were raped are also heroes, they suffered because they were promoting change," he said.
The prosecutor said he didn't visit Saif al-Islam during his trip but had been informed about reports of Saif's mistreatment at the hands of the militia in Zintan who are holding him in detention were false.
"Where is Saif is a matter for the national authorities, respecting Saif's well-being is also a matter for the national authority. So I think if he's in Zintan, the authorities in Zintan have to ensure that Saif is not mistreated. In our conversations, including with UN people, everyone feels comfortable that he is not mistreated. He's respected," he said.
A U.N. Security Council Resolution obliges Libya to cooperate with the court over the Saif issue. If Libya fails to convince the ICC of allowing Saif to remain and be tried in Libya, it could result in the country being reported to the Security Council.
He faces the death penalty if found guilty by a Libyan court but a prison term if convicted by the ICC. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None