Sudan’s detained opposition leader remains “steadfast” in prison: spokesperson

January 3, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The chairman of the opposition alliance National Consensus Forces (NCF), Farouq Abu Issa, has asked his family to stop demanding his release because of his age or health condition.

Last month, the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) arrested Abu Issa and head of the Alliance of the Sudanese Civil Society Organizations, Amin Mekki Madani, besides former ruling National Congress Party (NCP) member, Farah Agar, and his office manager, Mohamed Eldoud.

Before their detention on 6 December, Abu Issa and Madani signed the “Sudan Call” declaration for peace and democracy with the rebel groups in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on 3 December.

The two lawyers are now accused of subversive activities and use of violence to overthrow the government, charges which carry the death penalty.

Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir accused signatories of the “Sudan Call” of being agents to foreign powers and warned them from returning to the country.

Al-Ray Al-Aam daily newspaper, on Saturday, quoted the NCF spokesperson, Mohamed Diaa al-Din as saying that Abu Issa asked his family and any other party to stop requesting his release on the bases of his age and health condition.

Abu Issa, 81 years old, was rushed to the police hospital in Khartoum on 23 December following deterioration of his health condition.

His daughter, Nahla Abu Issa, told Sudan Tribune that her father suffered from cardiac arrhythmia in addition to other health problems which requires him being brought under special medical care.

According to Diaa al-Din, Abu Issa assured opposition forces and supporters that he remains steadfast and his morale is high.

He pointed the NISS allowed Abu Issa and Madani’s families to visit them on regular basis, saying they also permitted their families to bring them food.

Diaa al-Din further underscored the detainees conditions became far better after their transfer to Kober prison.

He revealed formation of a legal committee to follow up on the detainees’ issue, saying the committee is making every possible effort to release them.

But he pointed that authorities refused to allow the lawyers to meet with the detainees, noting they requested their immediate release or putting them to trial.

(ST)