March 10, 2015 – Wife of the former President of Ivory Coast, First Lady Simone Gbagbo was today sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for her role in the 2011 post-election violence during which about 3,000 people were killed.
Her lawyer, Mr. Rodrigue Dadje, however said Simone will appeal the judgement.
Mrs. Gbagbo was tried along with 82 other allies of former President Laurent Gbagbo. She is also wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Supporters of Laurent Gbagbo allegedly instigated political violence as soon as the electoral umpire declared Alassane Quattara winner of the 2010 election and refused to accept the result.
Among those who bagged 20 years jail were Head of Republican Guard, General Bruno Dogbo Ble and former navy chief Admiral Vagba Faussignaux.
Speaking on the judgment, counsel to the former First Lady, Rodrigue Dadje said she was found guilty of crimes including disturbing the peace, organizing armed gangs and undermining state security.
“We have five days to appeal, which we will do before the end of the week,” he said. “She is keeping her morale up since she was more or less expecting this”, he added.
