DHAKA: Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir’s plane left South Africa on Monday, local media said, despite a court ordering him to stay as it decides whether to order his arrest over alleged war crimes and genocide.

His reported departure was confirmed by the state minister for information said on Monday. Yasser Youssef said Bashir’s plane was expected to land in the Sudanese capital Khartoum at about 6.30pm local time, reports The Straits Times.

Earlier, an official in his delegation said Bashir would leave the country despite the court order.

President Bashir is still in Johannesburg and will leave today,’ a member of his delegation told the media on condition of anonymity, brushing aside the court case.

A summit of African leaders has been overshadowed by the International Criminal Court (ICC) call for Bashir to be detained on long-standing arrest warrants over his actions during the Darfur conflict.

BDST: 1753 HRS, JUN 15, 2015
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