Sudan dismisses allegation Bashir has billions abroad

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Sudan yesterday dismissed allegations President Omar Hassan al-Bashir had deposited up to $9 billion overseas, saying it was impossible because of sanctions.

Chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Luis Moreno-Ocampo told Reuters yesterday, after the allegations appeared in a leaked US diplomatic cable:
“I am investigating the financial aspects and we have information about Bashir’s money. I can confirm that it is up to $9 billion.”

Moreno-Ocampo is pursuing a case against Bashir accusing him of masterminding genocide and war crimes in Sudan’s western province of Darfur.

The cable published by WikiLeaks suggested disclosure of Bashir’s wealth could turn Sudanese opinion against him.