Powerful militia leader suspected of human rights abuses has been arrested by Sudanese authorities in the Darfur region, the BBC reports.
The state media reports that Musa Hilal, a former ally of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir who also led the government –allied Janjaweed militia was detained after fighting with Sudanese forces near his hometown in North Darfur.
Hilal is subject to UN sanctions for his suspected involvement in the Darfur conflict of the mid-2000s.
According to Sudan’s defence minister, Lt Gen Ali Mohamed Salem, his son Habeeb was also detained in the clashes in North Darfur.
“They were arrested after clashes in the area but the security situation there is now stable. They will soon be brought to Khartoum,” Gen Salem added.
Musa Hilal was appointed President Bashir’s adviser in 2008 before they fell out. His fighters have often clashed with Sudanese forces in Darfur.
Arrest warrants against President Bashir were issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2009 and 2010 on charges of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity in Darfur. The conflict claimed at least 300,000 lives.
He denies the charge and has evaded arrest.
