Post date: Jun 27, 2011 5:9:29 PM
International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant for Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi and spy Abdullah al Senussi for crimes against humanity.
THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (JUNE 27, 2011) ICC - The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant on Monday (June 27) for Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, and rebels trying to oust him said their forces had advanced to within 80 km (50 miles) of the capital Tripoli.
The court approved warrants for Gaddafi as well as his son Saif al-Islam and Libyan intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senussi on charges of crimes against humanity.
ICC prosecutors allege they were involved in the killing of protesters who rose up in February against Gaddafi's 41-year rule.
Gaddafi has "absolute, ultimate and unquestioned control" over Libya's state apparatus and its security forces, presiding judge Sanji Mmasenono Monageng said in reading out the ruling.
She added that Gaddafi and Saif al-Islam "conceived and orchestrated a plan to deter and quell by all means the civilian demonstrations" against the regime and that al-Senussi used his position of command to have attacks carried out.
Gaddafi's government denies targeting civilians, saying it was forced to act against armed criminal gangs and al Qaeda militants.
The rebels -- backed by NATO air support -- have been battling Gaddafi's forces since late February, when thousands of people rose up against his rule, prompting a fierce crackdown by Gaddafi's security forces.