Sudan may "hand over" former president Omar al-Bashir for trial

CGTN

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Former Sudanese President Omar al Bashir faces a host of charges related to the Darfur war. (Shiraaz Mohamed / AP)

Former Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir may finally face trial over the conflict in Darfur.

A representative of the International Criminal Court says he's hopeful that Sudan's government will hand al-Bashir over for trial in The Hague.

The court has sought al-Bashir since 2009 on charges of committing genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur.

The United Nations says some 300,000 people were killed and 2.5 million displaced in the conflict, which raged from 2003 to 2008.

He ruled the country for 30 years. Now 77, he has been held in a high-security prison in Khartoum since being deposed in 2019.

ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan has been meeting with senior officials in Sudan, including the leaders of the ruling Sovereign Council, which includes former allies of al-Bashir who could be implicated in any testimony he gives.

After meeting with Khan, the council's deputy chair said Sudan is prepared to cooperate with the ICC and abide by its international commitments.

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