Sudan President, Sought by ICC, Welcomed by Jordan’s King

Sudan President, Sought by ICC, Welcomed by Jordan’s King
Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir during a campaign rally for the upcoming presidential elections in El-Fasher, in North Darfur, on April 8, 2015. ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP/Getty Images
The Associated Press
Updated:

AMMAN, Jordan—Sudan’s president, sought by the International Criminal Court on war crimes charges, has been welcomed in Jordan despite calls by human rights groups to deny him entry.

Omar al-Bashir is among 21 Arab leaders gathering for a summit.

The ICC charged him in 2009 and 2010 with genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in connection with his government’s campaign against insurgents in Sudan’s Darfur region.

Al-Bashir was welcomed Tuesday by Jordan’s King Abdullah II.

Jordan, an ICC member, has said Arab League member Sudan has a right to attend Wednesday’s summit.

Adam Coogle of the international group Human Rights Watch says that “we’re very concerned about the possibility of impunity” signaled by al-Bashir’s visit.

Al-Bashir has traveled despite ICC arrest warrants, but is careful where he goes.