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BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) - Central African Republic has asked the International Criminal Court to investigate crimes against humanity allegedly committed by its former president and a Congolese vice president, the government said Friday.
Central African Republic suspects ex-President Ange-Felix Patasse and Congo Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba of ordering or committing murder and rape against civilians, as well as of embezzling funds and destroying public and private property, government spokesman Celestin Gamou said.
Bemba is a former Congo rebel leader whose wartime forces, based in northern Congo just across the border from Central African Republic, supported Patasse. Patasse's government was overturned in 2003 by forces loyal to Gen. Francois Bozize, now the country's president.
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