ICC Judges Rule to Try Saif Al Islam Gaddafi

{{The Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has rejected the challenge to the admissibility of the case against Saif Al Islam Gaddafi suspected of crimes against humanity of murder and persecution.}}

The crimes were allegedly committed in Libya from February 15, 2011 until at least February 28, 2011.

The Chamber reminded Libya of its obligation to surrender the suspect to the Court.

The Libyan authorities may appeal this decision or submit another challenge to the admissibility in accordance with article 19(4) of the Rome Statute.

A challenge to the admissibility of the case is granted if the case is being investigated by a State which has jurisdiction over it, unless the latter is unwilling or unable genuinely to carry out the investigation or prosecution.

The challenge to the admissibility of the case against Mr Gaddafi was submitted by Libya on May 1, 2012 and the Chamber conducted an assessment of the evidence presented by the parties and the participants.

The Chamber concluded that it had not been sufficiently demonstrated that the domestic investigation cover the same case that is before the Court.

In addition, the Chamber recognised Libya’s significant efforts to rebuild institutions and to restore the rule of law.

The Chamber, however, stressed that the Libyan State continued to face substantial difficulties in exercising fully its judicial powers across the entire territory.

Namely, the Libyan authorities had not been able to secure the transfer of Mr Gaddafi into State custody and impediments remained to obtain the necessary evidence, and secure legal representation for Mr Gaddafi.

Pre-Trial Chamber I is composed of judges Silvia Fernandez de Gurmendi, Presiding, Hans-Peter Kaul, and Christine Van den Wyngaert.

{NMG}