A judge in Abidjan has decided that the trial of
former First Lady of Ivory Coast Simone Ggabgbo for crimes against humanity
will continue in her absence, AFP reports. Lawyers for Mrs
Gbagbo have been
boycotting the trial since last month, accusing the court of bias.
They are mainly angry at the court for
refusing to grant a request they submitted for high profile figures close to
President Alassane Oattara to take to the stand as defence witnesses. But presiding judge Boiqui Kouadio has said
Mrs Gbagbo's presence is not necessary for the trial to continue. He then
assigned the defendant several lawyers and adjourned proceedings until 28
November. Mrs Gbagbo who has already
been jailed on separate charges - is standing trial for her alleged role in
post-electoral violence that rocked Ivory Coast in 2010 in which an estimated
3,000 people died.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Leave Comment Here