The 2017 acquittal of former first lady of Ivory Coast, Simone Gbagbo has been overturned by the country’s Supreme Court.
Simone Gbagbo was cleared of crimes against humanity by a Court in that country last year.
She had been charged following violence in the aftermath of the 2010 presidential poll which claimed more than 3,000 lives.
Violence erupted in Ivory Coast shortly after the elections when Mrs. Gbagbo’s husband and then president Laurent refused to concede defeat to current president, Alassane Ouattara.
The charges from the prosecution’s team that Simone Gbagbo, 67, headed a crisis cell and attempted buying weapons were dismissed by the court.
But the Supreme Court has overturned that acquittal, according to AFP reports.
Simone Gbagbo’s lawyer, Andre Blede Dohora told AFP on Friday that “The Supreme Court decided on Thursday to send Simone Gbagbo back before another criminal court.”
The decision was reportedly made in the absence of Simone Gbagbo’s defence team, something that does not excite Dohora.
The International Criminal Court also wants Simone to face similar charges, but Ivory Coast has refused to extradite her to the Hague.
Simone and her husband were arrested in 2011 after troops stormed their hideout in Abidjan.
She is already serving a 20-year prison term for undermining state security.
Source: Africafeeds.com
