Former Ivory Coast President Gbagbo waits for the judges to arrive at the ICC in The Hague
Former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo has been charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed during a civil war erupted following 2010 presidential election REUTERS

The trial of former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo has begun at the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague, Netherlands. Gbagbo was charged with four counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, along with former youth minister and militia leader Charles Blé Goudé.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges that refer to the unrest that erupted in Ivory Coast following the 2010 presidential election.

Click here to watch the live stream of the trial from the ICC website

After the election results, Gbagbo refused to accept Alassane Ouattara' s victory and is accused of having started a campaign of rape, intimidation and violence against opposition supporters.

At least 3,000 people were killed in the civil war spurred after Gbagbo refused to step down.

Timeline of Laurent Gbagbo's trial

11 April 2011 - Ivorian authorities capture Gbagbo

25 October 2011 - Prosecution application for warrant of arrest

30 November 2011 - Pre-Trial Chamber issues warrant of arrest

30 November 2011 - Gbagbo is transferred to the ICC's custody

5 December 2011 - Initial Appearance at ICC

19-28 February 2013 - Charges against Gbagbo outlined during a hearing

December 2014 - Pre-trial chamber confirms charges against Blé Goudé

12 June 2014 - Decision on the confirmation of charges against Gbagbo

March 2015 - Gbagbo and Blé Goudé cases joined since the two men's conduct in the crimes alleged is "closely linked". Start of trial pushed back until 10 November

Late October 2015 - Trial date postponed again following a request by Gbagbo's defense team to the ICC judges to assess Gbagbo's fitness to participate in the trial

November 2015 - Judges find that Gbagbo is fit to stand trial

28/29 January 2016 - Opening of the trial. The court has authorised over 700 victims to participate. Judges will hear the opening statements for three groups (prosecution, the victims' representatives and defence)

Week starting 1 February - Witness testimonies, and according to the filings, the prosecution is expected to call over 130 witnesses

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