ICC's first comment on extradition of Sudan's Bashir

The International Criminal Court (ICC) revealed on Friday that it has not received official confirmation from Sudan regarding the extradition of ousted president, Omar Al-Bashir.

ICC spokesman, Fadi Al-Abdullah stated: “We have not received official confirmation from Sudan, and we will not comment until we obtain it; we are aware of published reports about Al-Bashir’s extradition,” reported the Emirati website, Al-Ain.

Al-Bashir’s lawyer confirmed last Tuesday that his client refuses to be tried in the ICC, which he describes as a “political court”, and that the Sudanese judiciary can handle any case.

Lawyer Mohammed Al-Hassan Al-Amin informed Reuters: “We refuse to enter the International Criminal Court because it is a political court and not a judicial one, and we also refuse to internationalise the case, as we believe that the Sudanese judiciary is capable and willing to consider these accusations.”

Sudan: Bashir’s lawyer decries handover decision to ICC

CNN quoted a high-ranking Sudanese government source on Friday stating that Khartoum had taken a decision to hand over former Sudanese president, Omar Al-Bashir, and other defendants to the ICC, on the grounds of committing war crimes in Darfur.

The same source added: “As part of the agreement between the government and the rebel movement, the Sovereignty Council agreed to extradite Ahmed Haroun (former interior minister) and Abdel Rahim Mohammed Hussein, and the Janjaweed commander, known as Ali Kushayb.”

Analysis: Is Sudan’s power-sharing government about to fall apart?