I.Coast trial opens against former first lady Simone Gbagbo

By AFP

Ivory Coast Simone Gbagbo, the wife of Ivory Coast strongman Laurent Gbagbo, after her arrest along her husband by Ivory Coast leader Alassane Ouattara's forces, April 11, 2011. By Aristide Bodegla AFP

DEC 26, 2014 LISTEN

Simone Gbagbo, the wife of Ivory Coast strongman Laurent Gbagbo, after her arrest along her husband by Ivory Coast leader Alassane Ouattara's forces, April 11, 2011. By Aristide Bodegla (AFP)

Abidjan (AFP) - Ivory Coast's former first lady Simone Gbagbo went on trial Friday for "attempting to undermine the security of the state" in events leading to a bloody 2010-2011 crisis that left thousands dead.

Gbagbo, who has been held for three years and is also wanted by an international court for crimes against humanity, walked into the Abidjan court where she is standing trial with 82 others, to cheers and applause from the public.