Political detainees in Sudan’s border states tried; to be released
Five remaining women arrested in Kadugli for alleged ties to the rebel group, SPLA-N, have entered their 177th day in detention although reports indicate that they may be released this weekend.
The women were transferred to El-Obeid from South Kordofan for further questioning although 18 of their fellow prisoners were acquitted and released last month.
They told Radio Tamazuj that prison authorities showed them a sealed letter from the offices of the security services claiming that their detention is in accordance with article 198 of emergency law in South Kordofan state.
However, they also allegedly informed the women that they will be released this Sunday.
Their arrests reportedly came on orders from national security and intelligence services as well as neighbourhood committees, accusing them of inciting citizens to rebel against the government.
The women have reportedly all been warned that they will be arrested again if they are found to have carried out similar ‘provocative action’.
“After the rest of the women were released we remained here and told to be released after 6 months. Visitors were allowed to visit us here in El-Obeid prison, all people were visiting us. We were told that those women who were released previously, if they commitany mistake again they will be detained for more than 5 years,” one of the detainees claimed.
Meanwhile, a lawyer and a member of the Sudanese Rights and Freedoms Defence Cooperation, Tijani Hassan, told Radio Tamazuj that a Sinja court has begun to try 5 cases against detainees held in Blue Nile state for similar offences.
The first session was held yesterday while the next ones are scheduledfor the 20thand 21st of this month.
Tijani claimed that the cases against the detainees include charges under the Terrorist Act and possession of guns and ammunition, before adding that these same charges are being pressed against 79 of the 85 defendants currently detained in Sinja and Damazin.
“…The cases will be tried by judge Abdel-Muneam and sessions will commence from 20th - 21st, if God willing,” Tijani claimed.
File photo by Albert Gonzalez Farran/UNAMID
Related: 13 Kadugli detainees released, others still held (26 April 2013)