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Sudan President Accused of War Crimes

Court could arrest al-Bashir over Darfur genocide

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 14, 2008 7:21 AM CDT

(Newser) – Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir was officially accused of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity today in International Criminal Court, the BBC reports. The court must now decide whether to issue a warrant for Bashir’s arrest. If it does, Sudan’s government says it will disrupt the peace process in Darfur, and cause mayhem throughout the country.

In documents filed today, the court’s prosecutor said there were “reasonable grounds” to believe that Bashir bore criminal responsibility for the genocide in Darfur. “I don’t have the luxury to look away,” he wrote. “I have evidence.” Sudan calls the prosecutor himself a criminal. Worried that Sudan will take reprisals against international workers, the UN has evacuated some non-essential personnel.

Demonstrators protest the possibility that Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir could be indicted for crimes against humanity and genocide in Khartoum, Sudan, Sunday, July 13, 2008.
Demonstrators protest the possibility that Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir could be indicted for crimes against humanity and genocide in Khartoum, Sudan, Sunday, July 13, 2008.   (AP Photo/Abd Raouf)
In this Wednesday, March 12, 2008 file photo, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir arrive at the airport in Dakar, Senegal.
In this Wednesday, March 12, 2008 file photo, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir arrive at the airport in Dakar, Senegal.   (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Omar al-Bashir, left, and Vice President Ali Osman Mohammed Taha, right, attend a cabinet meeting to discuss the possibility that Bashir could be indicted for crimes against humanity, July 13, 2008.
Omar al-Bashir, left, and Vice President Ali Osman Mohammed Taha, right, attend a cabinet meeting to discuss the possibility that Bashir could be indicted for crimes against humanity, July 13, 2008.   (AP Photo/Abd Raouf)
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, left, and Vice President Ali Osman Mohammed Taha attend a cabinet meeting to discuss the possibility that al-Bashir could be indicted for genocide, July 13, 2008.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, left, and Vice President Ali Osman Mohammed Taha attend a cabinet meeting to discuss the possibility that al-Bashir could be indicted for genocide, July 13, 2008.   (AP Photo/Abd Raouf)
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