> Premier of the Democratic Alliance-governed Western Cape province says he will order local police to seize the Russian president
>
> Vladimir Putin has been threatened with arrest in South Africa ahead of a controversial visit expected later this year
>
> The premier of the Democratic Alliance-governed Western Cape province, which includes Cape Town, said he would order local police to seize the Russian leader.
>
> Alan Winde attacked the ruling African National Congress (ANC) government for pushing ahead to welcome the Russian leader despite the International Criminal Court (ICC) ordering his arrest for the deportation of Ukrainian children.
>
> …
>
> South Africa is due to welcome the leaders of Russia, China and other members of the Brics bloc of nations for a summit in August.
>
> Mr Winde said pressing ahead with the invitation would be “unacceptable and deplorable”.
>
> He said: “Putin has consistently and violently eroded the freedoms of the Ukrainian people and those in his own country who dare take a principled stand against his brutal actions.”
>
> The ICC warrant obliges South Africa to arrest Putin if he visits the country, but the ANC has a long-standing friendship with Moscow.
>
> …
>
> Mr Winde said locally funded police in the Western Cape province would act if the government did not order national police to act.
>
> ANC supporters mocked Mr Winde for over-reaching his powers and questioned if he had the legal authority or resources to arrest a world leader.
>
> Pretoria has not issued a detailed itinerary for the summit, but has said it will be held in the Gauteng province, so it is unclear if attendees would also be visiting the Western Cape.
>
> Mr Winde said he would have police ready at the airport and would liaise with Interpol and the ICC if necessary to make the arrest.
>
> …
>
> Yet Putin’s potential presence at the summit has created an intense diplomatic quandary for South Africa’s president.
>
> …
>
> Pretoria is looking for a fudge to avoid a confrontation, diplomatic sources have suggested
>
> …
4 comments
> Premier of the Democratic Alliance-governed Western Cape province says he will order local police to seize the Russian president
>
> Vladimir Putin has been threatened with arrest in South Africa ahead of a controversial visit expected later this year
>
> The premier of the Democratic Alliance-governed Western Cape province, which includes Cape Town, said he would order local police to seize the Russian leader.
>
> Alan Winde attacked the ruling African National Congress (ANC) government for pushing ahead to welcome the Russian leader despite the International Criminal Court (ICC) ordering his arrest for the deportation of Ukrainian children.
>
> …
>
> South Africa is due to welcome the leaders of Russia, China and other members of the Brics bloc of nations for a summit in August.
>
> Mr Winde said pressing ahead with the invitation would be “unacceptable and deplorable”.
>
> He said: “Putin has consistently and violently eroded the freedoms of the Ukrainian people and those in his own country who dare take a principled stand against his brutal actions.”
>
> The ICC warrant obliges South Africa to arrest Putin if he visits the country, but the ANC has a long-standing friendship with Moscow.
>
> …
>
> Mr Winde said locally funded police in the Western Cape province would act if the government did not order national police to act.
>
> ANC supporters mocked Mr Winde for over-reaching his powers and questioned if he had the legal authority or resources to arrest a world leader.
>
> Pretoria has not issued a detailed itinerary for the summit, but has said it will be held in the Gauteng province, so it is unclear if attendees would also be visiting the Western Cape.
>
> Mr Winde said he would have police ready at the airport and would liaise with Interpol and the ICC if necessary to make the arrest.
>
> …
>
> Yet Putin’s potential presence at the summit has created an intense diplomatic quandary for South Africa’s president.
>
> …
>
> Pretoria is looking for a fudge to avoid a confrontation, diplomatic sources have suggested
>
> …
Psst, don’t tell him, let him fly there first
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Even better if his plane disappeared over the Indian ocean and on his way there.