Judge says Gbagbo trial can happen without her

A row over high-profile witnesses has hobbled proceedings against Gbagbo, wife of ex- president Laurent Gbagbo who was forced from power in 2011 by forces loyal to the incumbent Alassane Ouattara.

Simone Gbagbo is accused of involvement in the shelling of Abobo, a northern suburb of the capital Abidjan, which was a Ouattara stronghold, and of being a member of a "crisis cell" that allegedly coordinated attacks by the armed forces and militias in support of Gbagbo.

She is already serving a 20-year sentence for "endangering state security".

Her lawyers have argued that the crimes against humanity trial, which began in May, cannot continue unless witnesses including parliament's speaker, a former prime minister and a former army chief appear.

They have failed to turn up at previous hearings and have been criticised by Gbagbo's lawyers.

But judge Boiqui Kouadjo said the case would continue regardless -- without Gbagbo -- with court appointed lawyers representing her. The next hearing will be on November 28.