Ivory Coast's Gbagbo in ICC detention

THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo arrived at the International Criminal Court's detention center Wednesday to face charges of crimes against humanity.

The detention of Gbagbo, 66, at the ICC's detention center at The Hague, Netherlands, marks the first time a former head of state was taken into the court's custody, the ICC said in a release.

In October, the ICC prosecutor opened an investigation into the post-election violence that rocked the Ivory Coast at the beginning of this year. After the presidential election Nov. 28, 2010, Gbagbo refused to concede power to Alassane Ouattara, the recognized winner. Four months of violence followed, resulting in more than 3,000 deaths.

Gbagbo, who has been under house arrest since being taken into custody, is accused of "murder, rape and other forms of sexual violence, persecution and other inhuman acts," an ICC statement said.

"It is exactly a year since the presidential election that led to one of the worst episodes of violence [Ivory Coast] has ever known, with ordinary Ivorians suffering immensely, and crimes allegedly committed by both parties," ICC lead prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said in a statement Tuesday.

Ocampo said his office collected evidence that the violence resulted from a "deliberate policy" to attack civilians, with both parties to the election involved. He said he expected to bring more cases before the court.

Gbagbo will make his appearance before Pre-Trial Chamber III next week when he will be told of his rights and the charges against him.