APA-Pretoria (South Africa) The South African government has granted Russian President Vladimir Putin diplomatic immunity from arrest or detention to enable him attend the Brics summit which Pretoria is hosting in August.
According to a Government Gazette late Monday, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor has issued a notice for the Diplomatic Immunity and Privileges Act to be granted to all international officials at BRICS-related events in South Africa.
The notice, signed on 19 May and gazetted on Monday, states that the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and China would be granted immunities and privileges provided in terms of Section 6(1)(a) of the act.
A warrant of arrest was issued by the international Criminal Court in The Hague in March seeking Putin’s arrest for committing alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
South Africa, as a signatory to the Rome Treaty which set up the court, is obliged to arrest the Russian leader should he land in its territory.
A spokesperson for Pandor said the notice was routine, and such notices were issued every time there was a similar international meeting in South Africa.
NM/jn/APA