Ivorian ex-President Laurent Gbagbo has appeared at the International Criminal Court to hear whether he could be tried on charges of crimes against humanity.
The hearing at the court in The Hague is expected to last until 28 February.
He faces four charges, including murder and rape, in the wake of Ivory Coast's disputed presidential poll in 2010.
Some 3,000 people were killed in violence after Mr Gbagbo refused to accept defeat in the polls. The 67-year-old insists he is innocent.
'Inadmissible' case
Presiding Judge Silvia Fernandez de Gurmendi on Tuesday opened the confirmation of charges hearing which would decide whether there was enough evidence to try Mr Gbagbo.
The judge stressed that the hearing would not be ruling whether the former president was guilty or innocent.
Mr Gbagbo's defence lawyers argued that he was already under investigation in his own country and that the authorities there must be the ones to try him - not The Hague court.
They urged the judges to "declare this case inadmissible".
The prosecution is expected to begin presenting its arguments shortly.
Mr Gbagbo, a former history professor, sat silently in the courtroom listening to the proceedings. He made no comments.
Outside the court, some 300 supporters of Mr Gbagbo held a rally, demanding his immediate release.
The court earlier decided to hold shorter than usual sessions because of Mr Gbagbo's poor health. The hearings are scheduled to last until 28 February.
The charges against him relate to the violence after the 2010 election when he refused to accept defeat by current Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara.
Mr Gbagbo - who was arrested in Ivory Coast in April 2011 and later extradited to The Hague - accuses former colonial power France of plotting to topple him from power in the world's biggest cocoa producer.
The ICC began operating in 2002 to bring to justice those responsible for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in countries that accept its jurisdiction, or when the UN Security Council refers a case to it.
Mr Gbagbo is the first former head of state to go on trial there, although Slobodan Milosevic of Yugoslavia and Liberia's Charles Taylor were tried by special courts in The Hague.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
Livestream: Newsfile discusses inaugurations, prisoner pardon and failed CJ petition
28 minutes -
Revisiting the forensic audit EC will increase credibility of future elections – Omane Boamah
2 hours -
Africa Food Systems Parliamentary Network urges governments to increase investment in agriculture
10 hours -
AU and partners urge youth to get involved in efforts to transform continent’s food systems
10 hours -
Fire kills 3-year-old at Asawase-Dagomba Line in Ashanti Region
11 hours -
Paskal A.B. Rois: How Mahama inspires me
11 hours -
Complete abandoned projects in Akatsi North District – Chiefs to Mahama
11 hours -
Painter and sculptor B. Acheampong turning his passion for art into profitable venture
12 hours -
Presidential lodge, RM residency in Ashanti region left to rot away
12 hours -
Herty Corgie highlights the essence of gratefulness in ‘My Gratitude’
14 hours -
ANNOUNCEMENT: Joy FM temporarily goes off air January 11
14 hours -
Yango honored with two titles at the Technovation Africa Awards 2024
15 hours -
Aowin Traditional Council declares war on illegal mining with spiritual intervention
15 hours -
Leadership must ensure equity for all citizens, regardless of faith – Asiedu Nketiah
15 hours -
Prof. Alex Manu appointed Executive Director at Centre for Social Justice
15 hours