ICC Prosecutors will seek arrest warrants for GaddafiMarch 3, 2011 - 19:18 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague will seek arrest warrants for Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and other suspects "as soon as possible," Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said Thursday. "Speed is vital" because "very serious crimes continue being committed," Moreno-Ocampo said in an interview with the Spanish daily El Pais. Prosecutors will investigate between 10 and 15 suspects who ordered the ongoing repression and whose names will be revealed this week, the prosecutor said. An arrest warrant creates a "serious problem" for those who are being targeted, Moreno-Ocampo explained. "Leaders who commit crimes against humanity must know that they will not go unpunished," he said. "We will make sure justice is done and that those responsible for the repression, for attacks against the civilian population, will be pursued and punished," he vowed. Moreno-Ocampo was due to formally open his investigation into Gaddafi's brutal crackdown on protesters later on Thursday in The Hague. He said between 600 and "several thousands" people may have been killed in the violence. Any request for arrest warrants would have to be endorsed by ICC judges. On Saturday, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution imposing sanctions against Libya and referring the situation to the ICC, thus granting the court formal jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed by Gaddafi and his associates, Times Live reported. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.” |