ICC set open investigation into crimes against humanity in LibyaMarch 3, 2011 - 11:20 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The international criminal court is set to open an investigation into alleged crimes against humanity in Libya after its chief prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, decided there is sufficient evidence against the Gaddafi regime to press ahead. The ICC's announcement, expected on March 3 at The Hague, that it is to launch a full investigation into the bloody crackdown in Libya marks an important step in the court's growing power since it began hearings under the Treaty of Rome in 2002. It is the first time the US government has openly backed the court, and only the second time, after Darfur in Sudan, that a case has been initiated by the UN security council. The court will have two months to prepare an initial report to the UN security council. After that, ICC judges will decide whether or not to issue arrest warrants, The Guardian reports. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | International cybercrime ringleaders arrested in Armenia, Ukraine Europol, Europe's crime agency, has arrested four ringleaders of several cybercrime networks that used botnets. Armenia skips CSTO Defense Ministers meeting A meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization countries began in Almaty. Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. |