Wife of former Ivorian President, Simone Gbagbo detained in the northern part of the country has been transferred to Abidjan on health grounds.
The arrest of former president Laurent Gbagbo and Simone on June 11, 2011 ended the post-electoral crisis that rocked Cote d’Ivoire.
Ms. Simone Gbagbo has since the arrest been in detention in the northern part of the country.
She is being accused of committing crimes against humanity including murder, rape and other forms of sexual violence committed between December 16, 2010 and April 12, 2011.
Simone’s lawyer, Mr Rodrigue Dadje told newsmen that the transfer was as a result several requests made before the government.
“She needs to have access to medical care due to her deteriorating state of health, our request was granted by the government and she has been moved to Abidjan,’’ he said.
Speaking to newsmen, the Ivorian Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Gnenema Coulibaly confirmed the transfer of the former Ivorian first lady.
“The approval was given due to Simone’s lawyers’ request for the transfer to enable her get medical attention, we gave our consent because she needs medical care,’’ he said
The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Feb. 29, 2012, issued an arrest warrant on Simone for alleged crimes against humanity committed during the political crisis.
The agency further reports that the Ivorian government is yet to respond to ICC’s warrant asking for her transfer to The Hague.
Recently, the government said it had not yet decided on the transfer as it was still waiting for the recommendations of its ministry of justice.