THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- A war crimes court Monday approved a criminal probe into killings and rapes that left some 3,000 people dead after Ivory Coast's disputed presidential election.
The International Criminal Court -- which prosecutes individuals for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity -- at The Hague in the Netherlands granted prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo's request after concluding there was "a reasonable basis to believe that crimes within the jurisdiction of the court have been committed," a court statement said.
Moreno-Ocampo alleged forces loyal to ousted President Laurent Gbagbo as well as those backing opposition leader Alassane Ouattara had committed war crimes.
The order lets Moreno-Ocampo also investigate any alleged crimes committed by either side before or after the crisis "in the context of this situation."
The crisis, which Moreno-Ocampo said also displaced 500,000 people, erupted after Gbagbo refused to cede power to Ouattara after losing a Nov. 28, 2010, presidential election.
The United Nations, African Union, United States and European Union all declared Ouattara the decisive winner.
During the standoff Gbagbo used security forces to terrorize citizens in the former capital of Abidjan, where Outtara was holed up in a hotel, protected by U.N. forces.
After more than four months of negotiations, French and U.N. helicopters ended the impasse April 10, firing missiles at key Ghagbo positions.
Gbagbo was captured and taken into custody by Ouattara the following day. Gbagbo's generals then pledged allegiance to Ouattara.
Gbagbo, held in the north of the country, faces a trial within the country for "economic crimes" in addition to Moreno-Ocampo's investigation.
