Darfur: Arrest Warrants Issued Against Ahmad Muhammad Harun and "Ali Kushayb"
3-05-2007
Arrest warrants have been issued against two persons concerning the situation in Darfur, Sudan. The International Criminal Court (ICC) on the 2nd of May 2007 issued warrants of arrest for crimes against humanity and war crimes for Ahmad Muhammad Harun, former Minister of State for the Interior of the Government of Sudan and currently Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, and Ali Muhammad Al Abd-Al-Rahman ('Ali Kushayb'), a leader of the Militia/Janjaweed.
The Pre-Trial Chamber I, concluded that there are reasonable grounds to believe that:
1. Ahmad Muhammad Harun by virtue of his position had knowledge of the crimes committed by the Militia/Janjaweed against civilians and had personally encouraged the commission of illegal acts.
2. Ali Muhammad Al Abd-Al-Rahman, as leader of the Militia/Janjaweed commanded his officers to attack and personally committed crimes against civilians.
3. The two acussed persons would not voluntarily submit themselves to the Court and warrants of arrests would be issued against them.
The Pre-Trial Chamber I, further ordered the Registrar of the ICC to request from the competent Sudanese authorities in accordance with rule 176(2) of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence, co-operation in the arrest and surrender of the two accused persons. In addition, all State Parties to the Rome Statute, the United Nations Security Council members (that are not State Parties to the Rome Statute), Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Libya, would be notified.
For the Press Release issued by the ICC, please visit: http://www.icc-cpi.int/press/pressreleases/241.html