Bashir celebrates escaping ICC war crimes arrest

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir celebrated with thousands of Sudanese supporters in the streets of Khartoum after a narrow escape from immediate arrest and possible hand-over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) over war crimes charges.

Supporters were photographed carrying a coffin wrapped in sheets with “laying the ICC to its final rest” written on them.

Al-Bashir publically mocked the ICC’s judicial role during his participation in the 25th African Union summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, saying the Hague-based body had died long ago.

Media reports claimed earlier that a South African court banned Al-Bashir from leaving the country pending a decision on whether he should be arrested.

Al-Bashir is wanted for alleged war crimes by the ICC for his complicity in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people in Darfur.

Managing director of the Institute for Security Studies Anton du Plessis said: “This is a sad day for South Africa and a blow to the rule of law.” He added: “Until now, the country has been a champion of international justice and has done more than most in Africa to make sure victims get justice.”

The ICC’S chief deputy-prosecutor James Stewart told AFP on Monday that South Africa’s failure to arrest Al Bashir was “disappointing”. He said: “Our position has always been that South Africa’s obligation is clear and unequivocal. It had an obligation to arrest him.”

Images by arabi21.

NOTE: This page was updated at 16.09 BST on June 22 2015. An earlier version of this page incorrectly stated that Anton du Plessis, Managing director of the Institute for Security Studies, was the director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies.