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International Court Charges Sudan Prez on Darfur Crimes

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 4, 2009 9:12 AM CST
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(Newser) – The International Criminal Court today issued a warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, charging him with murder, extermination, and rape, among other war crimes and crimes against humanity, the New York Times reports. Prosecutors say orders to kill or displace tribal people in Sudan’s Darfur region, which resulted in 5 years of violence and countless deaths, came from Bashir.

Bashir is also charged with pillaging, and intentionally attacking civilian populations. The international community had been split on whether now was the right time to indict Bashir, given ongoing peace talks in southern Sudan. Proponents of the warrant think it will weaken Bashir domestically and internationally, but no one expects him to be arrested soon.

United Nations peacekeeping troops in Darfur.
United Nations peacekeeping troops in Darfur.   (AP Photo)
UN peacekeepers in Sudan are not authorized to make arrests in war crimes cases.
UN peacekeepers in Sudan are not authorized to make arrests in war crimes cases.   (AP Photo)
Prosecutor Louis Moreno Ocampo of the ICC.
Prosecutor Louis Moreno Ocampo of the ICC.   (AP Photo)
Members of the Darfurian community gather outside the ICC today.
Members of the Darfurian community gather outside the ICC today.   (AP Photo)
Omar al-Bashir.
Omar al-Bashir.   (AP Photo)
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Zebraone
Mar 8, 2009 10:41 PM CDT
Why do we let this sub-human live?
Mr.C
Mar 4, 2009 2:56 AM CST
give it another 3 years to arrest him - another 10 for him to be punished. OR PERHAPS WE SHOULD COUNT IN NUMBER OF MURDERS instead of time
Mr.C
Mar 4, 2009 2:55 AM CST
it is the first time for a head of state

 
Africa • Darfur • Sudan • war crimes • crimes against humanity • Omar al Bashir • International Criminal Court • arrest warrant

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