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Sudan Tribune

Plural news and views on Sudan

Darfur court begins trial of 7 individuals charged with subversive activities

July 31, 2015 (NYALA) – The Special Criminal Court in the capital of south Darfur state Nyala, began on Thursday the trial of seven people accused of fomenting war against the state, terrorism and murder.

Nyala courthouse (ST photo)
Nyala courthouse (ST photo)
The defendants were arrested on November 23, 2013 in Marshang 87 km south of Nyala, after being accused of belonging to the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement -Abdel Wahid Nur faction (SLM-AW).

One of the defence team lawyers, Mohamed al-Hassan, told Sudan Tribune on Thursday that the special court on Thursday heard the charges filed against the seven defendants.

Al-Hassan said the defendants face charges of waging war against the state, murder, terrorism and undermining the constitutional system of government. He added that if convicted they face death penalty, life imprisonment and confiscation of property.

the lawyer furthers asserted that they defendants are innocents and have no relations with the armed group. He further described as “malicious slanders” the charges they are facing.

He pointed that the confessions they made are illegal and a clear violation of the Code of Criminal Procedure because they were obtained intimidation and torture.

The Sudanese authorities established the Special Criminal Court on the Events in Darfur following the opening of the International Criminal Court’s investigation into Darfur crimes in 2005.

The Sudanese government claims the end of the insurgency in Darfur region after 12 years since its eruption, but officials admit the existence of some pockets in Jebel Marra mountainous area.

(ST)

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