Sudan war crimes suspect arrested 13 years after ICC warrant issued News
OSeveno, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sudan war crimes suspect arrested 13 years after ICC warrant issued

Militia leader and war crimes suspect Ali Kushayb has been arrested, the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced Tuesday. This comes more than 13 years after the arrest warrant was issued. Kushayb surrendered to authorities in a northern portion of the Central African Republic, near the border with Sudan.

The arrest warrant details 22 charges of crimes against humanity and 28 war crimes charges, including murder, rape and pillage. The warrant further claims Kushayb commanded thousands of janjaweed militia from 2003-2004, personally taking part in the rapes and murders of civilians in villages during the conflict in Darfur. He also held commanding positions in Sudan’s Popular Defense Forces and the Central Reserve Police.

The ICC took custody of Kushayb Tuesday night. In a report to the UN Security Council, the office of the prosecutor said:

I hope that the suspect’s transfer to the Court also sends a clear and unequivocal message that no matter how long it takes or the obstacles placed in our path, my Office will not stop until the alleged perpetrators of Rome Statute crimes are brought to justice.

The ICC has not yet set a date for Kushayb to appear.

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