Police wounds Sudanese at Egypt-Israel border

February 6, 2009 (CAIRO) – Egyptian border police shot and wounded a Sudanese who attempted to cross the border to Israel on Thursday.

An Egyptian security official said the Sudanese had been shot three times in the stomach and arm. He further indicated that the man was in critical conditions.

However, the official who requested anonymity didn’t provide further details on the identity of the refugee.

Sudanese mainly from Darfur and southern Sudan try to sneak to Israel to avoid the difficult conditions of live in Egypt. Also, Darfuris see Egypt as an ally to the Sudanese government and fear for their live.

Around 28 African mostly Sudanese had been killed on the border with Israel by the Egyptian police during 2008.

In the past, Israel said it would only absorb Sudanese the U.N. designates as refugees from the western region of Darfur. Their number is estimated at one thousand.

(ST)