Gbagbo heads for The Hague

Former Ivory Coast leader Laurent Gbagbo was last night on a flight to The Hague to face an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, his lawyer said.

The court is investigating killings, rapes and other abuses committed during a four-month conflict triggered by Gbagbo’s refusal to cede power to Alassane Ouattara after last year’s election. Mr Ouattara’s French-backed forces deposed him in April.

Gbagbo would be the first former head of state transferred to the court.

Gbagbo’s lawyer, Lucie Bourthoumieux, said: “There are no official charges against him that have been indicated to us. It’s a political decision.”