Another 11 rebels sentenced to death by Sudanese court
April 26, 2009 (KHARTOUM) – A Khartoum court today sentenced another 11 rebels from the Justice and Equality Movement to death for their participation in an attack on the Sudanese capital on May 10, 2008.
Today’s verdicts bring to 82 the number JEM rebels ordered hanged since last year. None has been yet executed. Eight others were acquitted by the court.
The judges pronounced the verdicts after declaring the rebel guilty under Sudanese criminal and counter-terrorism legislation of involvement in the unprecedented attack.
On 15 and 22 April the Sudanese court some 21 rebels were also sentenced to death.
JEM rejects the death sentences saying it violate the Sudanese constitution and the international rules on the treatment of the Prisoners of War.
The rebels also say Khartoum had agreed to consider its fighters as POWs in a goodwill deal they signed together last February in Doha.
The two warring parties had to resume peace process; however JEM has suspended the ptalks following the eviction of 13 foreign aid groups from Sudan. The rebel movement said this measure breaches Doha Agreement.
(ST)