COTE D’IVOIRE’S former President Laurent Gbagbo has denied charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, as his landmark trial began at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The charges relate to the country’s civil conflict that erupted after Mr. Gbagbo lost elections in 2010.

Prosecutors accuse him of orchestrating a “campaign of violence”.

Mr. Gbagbo and former militia leader, Charles Ble Goude, 44, both deny murder, rape, attempted murder and persecution.

The trial at the court in The Hague, in the Netherlands, could last three or four years.

As it began, Mr. Gbagbo, 70, appeared relaxed, smiling and shaking hands with his defence team.

The BBC at the trial, said he steadied himself on his desk as he replied “not guilty” as the charges were read.

This may prove to be the most important trial in the ICC’s history. The international court was established to end impunity and bring the most powerful leaders to justice. The first trial of a former head of state is testament to the prosecutor’s reach.

And yet, despite casualties on both sides, not one of President Alassane Ouattara’s supporters has been charged, leading to accusations of victor’s justice.

During the pre-trial press briefing, the victims’ representative was asked how she could represent the victims when only half of those who had suffered would have their voices heard.

This high-profile trial will test the ability of the ICC to obtain reliable evidence from a country in which the government has a political interest in securing a guilty verdict.