Ivory Coast ex-president Laurent Gbagbo made his first appearance yesterday before the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity, and accused France of orchestrating his arrest.

Mr Gbagbo, the first former head of state to be brought before the tribunal, faces four counts of crimes against humanity, including murder, rape and inhuman acts, over post-election violence the UN said cost about 3,000 lives.

The 66-year-old was arrested in April by followers of long-time rival and current President Alassane Ouattara after months of violence triggered by Mr Gbabgo’s refusal to accept defeat in a November 2010 vote.

“I was arrested under French bombs,” said a gaunt-looking Gbagbo, who was transferred to The Hague from his northern Ivorian prison on Wednesday.

His handover drew a furious reaction from his supporters and set a tense backdrop for a parliamentary poll on Sunday that had been billed as a chance to foster reconciliation in the country.

Mr Gbagbo’s camp described his transfer as a “political kidnapping” and said it would boycott the election and pull out of reconciliation efforts.

Judge Silvia Fernandez de Gurmendi said Gbagbo, who held the reins of power in Ivory Coast for a decade, must reappear on June 18 for a confirmation of charges hearing. He will then learn whether he must stand trial for crimes committed by his troops between December 16, 2010 and April 12, 2011.

According to figures from the ICC chief prosecutor’s office, between 700 and 1,048 people were killed by pro-Gbagbo forces.