South Africa to change law to stop arrest of Putin

South Africa is going to change its law so that it has the power to decide whether or not to arrest a leader wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), a deputy minister has told the BBC.

Earlier this year, Russia’s leader was invited to a summit in South Africa, but a subsequent arrest warrant issued by the ICC means South Africa would be expected to arrest Vladimir Putin if he attends the gathering of the Brics group of nations in August.

“In June we’ll be submitting the law in parliament,” Obed Bapela, a deputy minister in the South African presidency, told the BBC’s Newshour programme.

Through the law South Africa “will give itself exemptions of who to arrest and who not to arrest”, Mr Bapela said.

Mr Putin has been accused by the ICC of crimes against humanity committed during the war in Ukraine. South Africa has refused to condemn Russia’s invasion, insisting it wants to remain neutral.

Mr Bapela said that South Africa was also writing to the ICC about a waiver.