Special Reports

Gbagbo ally detained near Abidjan

Published: Aug. 27, 2012 at 10:21 AM

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- An Ivorian leader loyal to former President Laurent Gbagbo was arrested by military forces, a leader from his party confirmed.

Laurent Akoun, the No. 2 man in the Ivorian Popular Front, was arrested following a rally about 60 miles east of Abidjan, said party official Sebastien Dano Djedje in a statement to Bloomberg News. Akoun was said to be being questioned by military authorities.

The Ivorian Popular Front is the opposition party loyal to Gbagbo. The International Criminal Court had said there are "reasonable grounds" to believe Gbagbo bears criminal responsibility for crimes against humanity carried out after a post-election crisis in 2010.

Ivory Coast was pushed to the brink of civil war following disputed 2010 presidential elections that saw Alassane Ouattara emerge victorious over Gbagbo. Ivorian leaders said they believed Gbagbo loyalists were behind some of the attacks in the country, though his allies deny the allegations.

Human rights group suspect forces loyal to Ouattara likely committed atrocities to the post-election conflict, however.

Topics: Laurent Gbagbo, Alassane Ouattara

Most Popular Collections

'Star Trek Into Darkness' screening	NBC upfronts	Met Ball 2013
'Great Gatsby' premieres in New York	Spire raised on top of One WTC	2013: Celebrity break ups and divorces

Additional Special Reports Stories
Top News Utah church shooting victim identified OGDEN, Utah, June 17 (UPI) -- Police have identified the victim of Sunday's shooting in a Roman Catholic church in Utah as James Evans; his son-in-law was charged with the crime. Colorado's Black forest fire considered a crime scene as two die 7 dead, 41 wounded in Chicago's most violent weekend this year Europe criticizes Turkey as unions strike Trans-Atlantic trade talks top G8 agenda	Entertainment News Kim and Kanye's premature baby needs 'focus' from her parents, Dr. Oz says The TV doctor compared his own child's experience to Kanye West and Kim Kardashian's newborn. Lolo Jones posts bobsled paycheck on Twitter, explains her complaint [VIDEO] 'Breaking Amish' heads to Los Angeles Kim Kardashian gets congratulations from Beyonce Selma Blair fired by Charlie Sheen?
Business News Persian Gulf states 'unable to protect themselves' DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, June 17 (UPI) -- Despite massive spending on Western weapons, the Arab monarchies of the Persian Gulf are "unable to secure themselves from any external threat" -- meaning Iran – and are running up huge public and foreign debt, a gulf think tank says. Climate group warns against burning of fossil fuel reserves Report says 70 percent of U.S. workers are disengaged U.S. mulls countermeasures against threat of enemy UAVs GM recalling 231,000 SUVs over fire danger	Odd News Bear mauls man who fed it barbecue meat A black bear mauled a man in Alaska after he provoked the animal by throwing it two pieces of barbecued meat. TSA agent allegedly tells teen to 'cover herself' Boy in his wheelchair isolated in viral class photo Florida man rides whale shark Whale shark becomes boogie board for Florida teen