ICC expresses concerns over Gaddafi's death

ICC expresses concerns over Gaddafi's death

The death of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who was captured and killed by fighters in October, may have been a war crime, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court [ICC] has said.

Luis Moreno-Ocampo seeks answers over former Libyan leader's death, saying circumstances "create suspicions of war crimes".

Possible war crimes

Moreno-Ocampo said: "I think the way in which Mr Gaddafi was killed creates suspicions of ... war crimes. I think that's a very important issue."

Moreno-Ocampo's comments came on Thursday, a day after the former Libyan leader’s daughter, Aisha Gaddafi, called on the ICC to investigate the death of her father and brother at the hands of Libyan fighters.
The ICC prosecutor said he had sent a letter to the head of Libya’s ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) asking what the government's plans were to investigate alleged war crimes by all parties, including the rebels.

Moreno-Ocampo, referring to the Rome statute that established the war crimes tribunal, said the ICC would step in only if Libyan authorities were unwilling or unable to act.

Under pressure from Western allies, the NTC has promised to investigate how Gaddafi and his son Motassim were killed.

Reuters/Waziri/Williams