Sudan sentences 29 intelligence agents to hang for teacher's killing

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Sudan sentences 29 intelligence agents to hang for teacher's killing

By Ali Mirghani

 

Sudanese civilians hug each other after the sentencing of 27 members of the national intelligence service to death by hanging over the killing of a teacher in detention in February during protests that led to the overthrow of former president Omar al-Bashir, outside the court in Omdurman, Sudan December 30, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah

 

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - A Sudanese court sentenced 29 members of the national intelligence service to death by hanging on Monday over the killing of a teacher in detention in February during protests that led to the overthrow of former president Omar al-Bashir.

 

The group that spearheaded the protests welcomed the ruling, the first to deliver sentences over crackdowns on demonstrations in the months before and after Bashir was toppled in April.

 

Prosecuting members of the intelligence services is seen as a test of how far Sudan's transitional government will go to erase Bashir's legacy and challenge the security apparatus.

 

"This day is a victory for justice, a victory for all Sudanese and a victory for the revolution," teacher Ahmed al-Khair's brother Saad told reporters after the verdict.

 

Thirteen defendants were sentenced to prison terms and a further four were acquitted in the ruling, which could face several stages of appeal.

 

The judge listed 27 agents from Kassala, capital of eastern Kassala state, who received death sentences. Another two agents from Khashm al-Qirba, the town in Kassala state where teacher Khair was killed, were also sentenced to death, a lawyer said.

 

Khair's death became a rallying point during 16 weeks of protests against Bashir's rule. His family said security officials initially claimed he had died of poisoning, though days later a state investigation found he had died of injuries from beating.

 

A Sudanese court has sentenced 29 members of the national intelligence service to death over the killing of a teacher during protests that led to the overthrow of Omar al-Bashir. Serena Chaudhry reports.

 

Hundreds of people rallied outside the court in Omdurman where the verdict was delivered on Monday, some waving national flags or holding pictures of Khair.

 

They broke into celebration after the ruling. Security forces fired tear gas to try to clear the rally and reopen roads. One woman, who suffered from asthma, died after inhaling tear gas, according to a doctors' committee linked to the anti-Bashir protests.

 

The Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), which spearheaded protests against Bashir, said the trial restored confidence in the judiciary.

 

"With this ruling, the revolution will have paid off its debt to the martyrs a first time, to be followed as many times as the number of martyrs," it said.

 

The SPA is an important member of the Forces of Freedom and Change coalition that struck a three-year power-sharing deal with the military in August.

 

Dozens of protesters were killed during crackdowns on the protests against Bashir, and dozens died when security forces cleared a sit-in pushing for further change in June.

 

(Writing by Aidan Lewis; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Nick Macfie)

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-12-31

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[car720]

I have tried to analyse it all but in the end I keep coming back to the fight of good against evil.  The good won this time but it is not usually the case. Daily I see evil winning more and more.

[RJRS1301]

Military rulers, says it all.

 

[RichardColeman]

Wonder who had the most road deaths during this time of 'revolution and war torn' Sudan or Thailand

[soalbundy]

don't they know it's the christmas season?

[marko kok prong]

Burn them at the stake i say,then distribute the meat,those chaps must be hungry.

[WayWokeWhiteGuy]

Making jokes, really? 

[Roadman]

I wonder how much of that court ruling was to appease the public. 

[Inn Between]

It will be interesting to see how it all plays out in Sudan over the next few years. With al-Bashir in jail on a 2-year sentence and possibly facing extradition to answer to charges being leveled by the Hague for war crimes and genocide, it seems the temporary military-civilian gov't means business and these 27 members of the police force, where the victim was beaten to death, are paying the ultimate price, and not just for their own crimes.

 

I think that action is more statement or warning to corrupt officials that there is no longer any place for brutally administering lethal "justice" when it serves their purposes, and punishment will not only be swift but also severe. 

 

Most people just want normal opportunities for a happy, productive life, so hopefully true changes will come to Sudan.            

[Cryingdick]

Sudan where justice is as gruesome as the crime itself. I get the idea behind it and don't feel sorry for anybody but imagining hanging 29 people is a little off putting.