Arrest warrant expected for Sudanese leader over Darfur

Published on Monday 14 July 2008 10:21

THE prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) is expected to charge Sudan's president with genocide and crimes against humanity today, when he reveals details of a probe into atrocities in Darfur.

In an indication of the fury that could be unleashed if Omar al-Bashir is charged with orchestrating a five-year reign of terror in Darfur, his ruling National Congress Party yesterday warned of "more violence and blood" in the vast western region if an arrest warrant was issued against him.

Mr Al-Bashir huddled with cabinet ministers and advisers in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, considering their response to any charges. Sudan has also asked the Arab League for an emergency meeting of Arab foreign ministers.

Outside the meeting, hundreds of Sudanese demonstrated in support of Mr al-Bashir, who seized power in a 1989 coup. Others held signs ridiculing the ICC and its prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo of Argentina.

Ocampo was due to present his evidence to judges in the Netherlands today. A three-judge panel at the Hague-based court will then study it before deciding whether to issue an arrest warrant.