Region | Sudan

Sudan's Al Bashir says ICC has no jurisdiction

Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al Bashir says the ICC charges against him are lies.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 22:51 July 14, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al Bashir says the International Criminal Court's charges against him are lies.
  • Image Credit: AP

Khartoum: Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al Bashir said on Monday the International Criminal Court had no jurisdiction in Sudan.

Al Bashir added that its charges were lies, in his first comments since the court accused him of genocide and war crimes.

"From the beginning we said we are not a member of the court ... the court has no jurisdiction over Sudan," Bashir said in comments carried live on Sudan state television.

"Whoever has visited Darfur, met officials and discovered their ethnicities and tribes...will know that all of these things (including ethnic cleansing) are lies," he added.

Bashir was speaking ahead of the signing of Sudan's new election law on Monday.

At the ceremony Bashir, wearing traditional dress, was shown dancing with other ministers as a Sudanese band played.

The election law was expected to pave the way for Sudan's first free elections in 23 years, due in 2009, but analysts have warned the ICC warrant could remove the incentive for Bashir to hold a democratic vote and relinquish power.

The ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo on Monday accused Bashir of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes including torture and murder and asked the court to issue a warrant for his arrest.

  • Rate this article
  • Average reader rating (0 votes) 0 Stars
Tools

Emailing an article to friend is a simple way to share a news item. Your friend will receive an email with your name and email address as well any personal message you choose to send.

The information you provide on this page will not be used to send unsolicited emails.

This service is not intended to encourage spam, and action may be taken against individuals who maliciously enter personal details of another individual.

Share this article

Related Articles

  1. Arab foreign ministers set new date for Sudan crisis talks

    Arab foreign ministers set new date for Sudan crisis talks

  2. Al Bashir accused of genocide

    Al Bashir accused of genocide

    International court prosecutor charges Sudan president with genocide in Darfur

  3. Profile: Omar Al Bashir

    Profile: Omar Al Bashir

    Profile: Omar Al Bashir

  4. Sudan condemns Bashir indictment

    Sudan condemns Bashir indictment

  5. UN's Ban tells Sudan to ensure safety of UN staff

    UN's Ban tells Sudan to ensure safety of UN staff

  6. Bashir party warns of more bloodshed

    Bashir party warns of more bloodshed

    International court indictment against Sudan president expected soon

  7. Arab League to hold Al Bashir talks

    Arab League to hold Al Bashir talks

    Arab League to hold crisis talks arrest warrant for Sudan's Al Bashir

  8. Thousands rally in Sudan against ICC

    Thousands protest ICC move against Sudanese president

  9. Sudan seeks talks about Criminal Court

    Sudan seeks talks about Criminal Court

    Sudan seeks Arab League talks about Criminal Court

  10. Darfur rebels would see arrest warrant as triumph

    Darfur rebels consider Al Bashir arrest warrant a triumph

More from Sudan

  1. flydubai starts service to Sudanese capital

  2. Bashir not to attend OIC summit in Istanbul

  3. Sudan parties report widespread poll fraud

  4. 'Iranians sold banned devices to Sudan'

All articles in Sudan

More from Region

Gulf News
Popular in News
News Editor's choice