Ivorian leader Gbagbo under investigation

YAMOUSSOUKRO, Ivory Coast, April 27 (UPI) -- Former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo is under investigation for alleged crimes against humanity during a political crisis, the country's new leader said.

Gbagbo, his wife and more than 100 of his close supporters were arrested April 11 at a presidential compound in Abidjan with the help of the French military. Ivory Coast was pushed to the brink of civil war after Gbagbo refused to step down after losing a November election.

Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara said Gbagbo and his supporters were under investigation for alleged crimes committed during the political crisis, the BBC reports.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said after Gbagbo's arrest that the situation was dire despite the end to the political conflict, noting "bodies still litter the streets."

The International Crisis Group had warned that the level of violence in Ivory Coast was approaching that of civil war. Hundreds were reportedly killed and tens of thousands more were displaced by the conflict.

Rights groups had blamed both sides for the violence.