Court launches Gaddafi probe

The International Criminal Court is to investigate Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and his sons for possible crimes against humanity.

The move follows the violent crackdown on anti-government protesters.

The court’s prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, says Gaddafi’s security forces have attacked peaceful demonstrators in several towns and cities across Libya since February 15 and that the Libyan leader and his allies have formal or de facto command over the forces.

Moreno-Ocampo vowed today there would be “no impunity in Libya”.

The prosecution office has acted with unprecedented haste to launch an investigation, partly to warn Libyan officials against continuing the deliberate slaughter of civilians.

Moreno-Ocampo said the court was using the opportunity “to put them on notice: if forces under their command commit crimes, they could be criminally responsible”.

He also warned that leaders of Libya’s opposition could be investigated if allegations are raised against them. “We will be impartial,” he said.