The International Criminal Court has unsealed an arrest warrant from 2011 for Charles Blé Goudé. The Ivorian ex-minister, 40, is accused of participating in violence which erupted in Côte d’Ivoire after the disputed 2010 presidential elections of when ex-president Laurent Gbagbo refused to accept defeat.
Mr. Blé Goudé incited violence in support of ex-president Laurent Gbagbo and committed crimes against humanity including heading a militia, rape, murder, and other inhumane acts. The crimes were committed between December 2010 and April 2011.
Mr. Blé Goudé was in the inner circle of ex-president Gbagbo and targeted civilians who supported Gbagbo's rival and current president Allassane Ouattara.
After 18 months in hiding, Mr. Blé Goudé was arrested and extradited to Côte d’Ivoire where he is also accused of war crimes. Although, he claims that he never participated in creating a militia in support of Gbagbo or participating in any violence. He has agreed to go to the ICC trial in an attempt to clear his name.
Ex-president Gbagbo has also been indited by the ICC for war crimes following the election and is currently awaiting trial at the Hague.