International court to investigate Darfur war crimes

The International Criminal Court is to launch a formal investigation into allegations of war crimes in Sudan’s troubled Darfur region.

The court has been analysing the situation in Darfur since the United Nations referred to it allegations of rape, murder and plunder in April, following a UN Security Council vote. Dozens of court officials have begun preparing for the investigation, the largest and most important yet to be handled by the fledgling body since it was established in July 2002.