South African Opposition Puts More Pressure on Government to Arrest Putin

The main opposition party in South Africa has taken legal measures to force the government to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin if he decides to attend the planned BRICS summit to be held in the African country.

South Africa has been facing a diplomatic dilemma since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March.

In August, South Africa will host the BRICS summit, which includes Brazil, China, India, and Russia.

South Africa, a member state of the International Criminal Court, would be expected to execute the arrest warrant if Putin entered its territory.

The opposition Democratic Alliance party announced the launch of a lawsuit to ensure that the government would detain Putin and hand him over to the International Criminal Court "if he sets foot in South Africa."

Opposition shadow justice minister Glennis Breitenbach said: "This pre-emptive judicial measure aims to ensure South Africa lives up to its obligations."