Sudanese court charges policeman with premeditated murder of demonstrator

April 9, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – A Sudanese court has charged the suspect in the killing of Sara Abdel-Bagi with premeditated murder under article 130 of the criminal code.

The criminal court of north al-Duroshab has interrogated the suspect who denied being present at the scene when the shooting took place, saying he lawfully obtained his gun from the police station in al-Duroshab after revealing his police ID card .

The court will hear from defence witnesses in the coming session next Wednesday.

Muatassim Al-Hag, a member of the prosecution team, told Sudan Tribune that the suspect’s testimony contradicts with what he said during the investigation when he denied holding a gun during the protests.

Protests erupted in Sudan’s major towns following an announcement by the government that it was lifting subsidies on fuel and other basic commodities, leading to calls for regime change.

At least 200 protesters died, 15 of them children, and more than 800 others have been detained.

(ST)