( CNN ) -- The International Criminal Court unsealed an arrest warrant Thursday for Ivory Coast 's former first lady , accusing her of crimes against humanity in the aftermath of her husband 's election defeat in 2010 . Read more : Political tensions rise as Gbagbo 's top allies arrested . It says that Simone Gbagbo , wife of Laurent Gbagbo , is wanted `` for her individual criminal responsibility as regards the crimes against humanity of murder , rape and other forms of sexual violence , persecution and other inhumane acts committed during the post-election crisis '' beginning November 28 , 2010 . Laurent Gbagbo , then the incumbent president , refused to step down after Alassane Ouattara was declared the winner of the election . The standoff sparked months of violence between supporters of the two sides , leaving thousands dead . Read more : International criminal court to probe war crimes in Ivory Coast . The ICC warrant , which was issued under seal in February , alleges that as a member of the president 's inner circle , his wife was an `` indirect co-perpetrator '' because she attended meetings at which a plan was formulated , discussed and carried out to persecute Ouattara supporters . `` Moreover , Ms. Gbagbo played a key role in recruiting , arming and integrating thousands of volunteers and enlisting them into the FDS chain of command , '' the warrant said , referring to the Ivorian Defense and Security Forces . Read more : 300,000 still displaced in Ivory Coast . `` At meetings or public gatherings during the post-election crisis , Ms. Gbagbo ... instructed the pro-Gbagbo forces to commit crimes against individuals who posed a threat to her husband 's power , '' the warrant alleged . Laurent Gbagbo was arrested by Ivorian authorities in April 2011 . He surrendered to the ICC in December of that year , and is currently awaiting trial at The Hague , Netherlands , on crimes against humanity for the civil unrest and deaths . The court recently rejected a request from Gbagbo that he be released in Netherlands until his trial begins . He has proclaimed his innocence . Read more : Can Africa avoid violence after disputed elections ? Simone Gbagbo , 63 , was arrested in Ivory Coast at the same time as her husband . She is being held there still , and was questioned by magistrates earlier this month ahead of a national trial in which she 's accused of genocide and crimes against humanity . Now , the ICC wants Ivory Coast to hand her over . `` The ( ICC ) judges have decided , it is now up to the Ivorian authorities to surrender Mrs. Simone Gbagbo to the court , '' said a statement from ICC prosecutor 's office .
July : ICC spokesman says court expects Ivory Coast to surrender Simone Gbagbo . The prosecutor says Simone Gbagbo had volunteers to go after Ouattara supporters . Laurent France refused to leave office after losing the 2010 election . The former president is awaiting trial at The Hague in Netherlands .