Ex-Ivory Coast leader released by international court
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Ivory Coast’s ex-president and a former youth minister were released from International Criminal Court custody Friday, more than two weeks after they were acquitted of involvement in deadly violence that erupted after their country’s 2010 election.
Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji said that former President Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Ble Goude should be freed under conditions intended “to protect the integrity of the process.” Prosecutors are expected to appeal their acquittals.
Gbagbo, who smiled broadly and waved to supporters in the court’s gallery after the ruling, was released Friday evening along with Ble Goude. They were taken to an undisclosed location.