THE HAGUE, Netherlands, April 6 (UPI) -- The International Criminal Court says it may investigate alleged crimes committed in Ivory Coast, including the reported mass murder of civilians.
The court's prosecutor, speaking from the court's headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands, said Wednesday his office may probe alleged "widespread and systematic" killings. The office was collecting information on alleged crimes by all parties of the conflict, the prosecutor said in a statement.
"The [office of the prosecutor] has been conducting a preliminary examination in Ivory Coast and the next step will be for the prosecutor to use his independent … power to request authorization from the pre-trial chamber in order to initiate an investigation," the international court said in a statement.
Troops loyal to Laurent Gbagbo -- who has defied demands to step down after he lost the U.N.-certified election in November to Alassane Ouattara -- have been engaged in fierce fighting with forces loyal to Ouattara. Pro-Ouattara forces have stepped up their efforts recent days to force Gbagbo out.
Ivory Coast is not a state party to the Rome Statute that established the international court, but Gbagbo, as president, accepted the court's jurisdiction, the ICC said. Ouattara also confirmed his acceptance of ICC jurisdiction by letter and provided information to the prosecutor's office.
