ICC seeks arrest of Sudan's President for 'genocide'

THE HAGUE  - The prosecutor for the International Criminal Court sought Monday the arrest of Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir for alleged war crimes in strife-torn Darfur.

Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said in a statement that Beshir had “masterminded and implemented” a plan to destroy a large portion of three ethnic groups in Sudan.

His appeal to the court’s judges marked the first time the arrest of a sitting head of a state had been requested at the ICC. The move came despite fears and warnings that it could enflame tensions in Darfur and lead to the expulsion of aid workers and peacekeepers in Sudan’s western region.

“ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo has presented evidence today showing that the Sudanese President committed the crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur,” his office said in a statement.