Sudan extends detention of opposition leader

September 23, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — A Sudanese court ruled to extend the detention of opposition leaders an extra two weeks at the request of the prosecution.

Sudanese security services arrested Mubarak al-Fadil, leader of the Umma Reform and Renewal opposition party mid-July over allegations of planning a coup attempt.

The former presidential assistant was arrested along with a number of retired army generals, including retired general Mohamed Ali Hamid, who worked as deputy director of security in the late eighties, as well as former minister of tourism, Abdeljalil al-Basha.

A statement issued Al-Fadil’s office condemned the decision saying it was unconstitutional given the fact that no charges were brought any of detainees since their arrest.

The diary of Al-Fadil in prison leaked to the press described security officers as desperate to come up with evidence to implicate him in the alleged coup attempt.

Al-Fadil was appointed as a presidential adviser for economic affairs in 2002 but was sacked after making contacts with the United States without Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir’s consent.

(ST)