By DPA,
The Hague: The International Criminal Court (ICC) is to open an investigation into possible crimes against humanity in Libya, the court’s prosecutor said Wednesday.
“Following a preliminary examination of available information, the prosecutor has reached the conclusion that an investigation is warranted,” the office of ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said in a statement out of The Hague.
The prosecutor was expected to present “an overview of the alleged crimes committed in Libya since Feb 15 2011” and information on “entities and persons who could be prosecuted and put them on notice to avoid future crimes” Thursday.
On Saturday, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution imposing sanctions against Libya and referring the situation to the ICC, thus granting the court formal jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed by leader Muammar Gaddafi.
A formal investigation could lead to ICC judges issuing international arrest warrants.