Authorities say wanted President Al-Bashir to visit Russia in August

Sudanese President, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, will travel to Russia Mid-August, Khartoum authorities said on Monday, a rare overseas trip for a leader wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity.

Sudan’s foreign ministry said that Bashir was invited by Russian President, Vladimir Putin, to discuss bilateral, regional, and global issues.

The visit, scheduled for the second half of August, comes as Sudan awaits a decision by the U.S. on whether to lift a 20-year-old trade embargo and other major sanctions.

President Al-Bashir is the only sitting head of state wanted for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity for his crimes in Darfur.

He stands accused of being the mastermind of the genocide in Darfur where Sudanese forces and government-sponsored militias carried out a campaign of attacks against innocent civilians.

On March 4, 2009 the ICC issued an arrest warrant against Bashir for seven counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes.

On July 12, 2010 the ICC issued an additional warrant adding three counts of genocide for the ethnic cleansing of the Fur, Masalit, and Zaghawa tribes.

– NAN