Qathafi was indicted by the International Court of Criminal Justice (ICCJ). On the one hand that is certainly a good thing. Greater amounts of force can be used against him as a fugitive from justice, etc. On the other hand his willingness to give up what remains of this power is probably lessened. Where can he go now without being handed over to the ICCJ for resolution of the charges?
Will the principle be applied widely to other politicians in the Middle East? That seems likely. One can easily imagine Assad or the King of Bahrain indicted.
One can only suppose that rulers or former rulers in other parts of the world are concerned with this development. pl
Perhaps now Obama will send Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld and Cameron will send Blair, Campbell and Hoon to the ICC.
Posted by: blowback | 17 May 2011 at 12:03 PM
One can easily imagine Assad or the King of Bahrain indicted.
I have a hard time imagining either being indicted. Only isolated leaders without powerful sponsors are charged by the ICC.
Posted by: Green Zone Cafe | 17 May 2011 at 02:15 PM
Blowback have you seen the movie?
The Trial of Tony Blair
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0945405/
Posted by: JJackson | 17 May 2011 at 02:49 PM
It's like the "impartial" Special Tribunal for Lebanon. You know, the one that indicts whichever ham sandwich the US Ambassador to Beirut designates.
Posted by: Matthew | 17 May 2011 at 03:08 PM
JJackson - I'm only interested in the real thing and I ain't talking about Coke!
Posted by: blowback | 17 May 2011 at 03:18 PM
Ah well - they can always do their luxury shopping in Dubai. But Mayfair will be off limits to them from now on - Ms. Assad must be very upset.
Posted by: tequila | 17 May 2011 at 04:54 PM
Considering the number of civilian deaths caused by any armed force/police forces in the last 50 years or so, I do not believe that ICC is anything but a political tool, especially of Western major powers - and their client states.
Posted by: Norbert M Salamon | 17 May 2011 at 06:04 PM
Apparently [according to Juan Cole]the indictments of MQ and his son have caused the OIL MINISTER of Libya to flee. INTERESTING analysis on Informed Comment today on that subject.
Tic Tock! Tick Tock!
Posted by: William R. Cumming | 18 May 2011 at 08:13 AM