Sudanese security concludes interrogation of ISIS sympathizers

December 20, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese authorities have wound up investigations with leaders of a group accused of propagating the views of the Islamic State (ISIS) amid speculations that they will likely be put on trial.

The group, that calls itself Jama’at ali’itisam Bilkitab Walsunna (literally the group for adherence to the Koran and Prophet Mohammad’s tradition), is also accused of recruiting youth and sending them to Iraq, Syria and Libya to join the ranks of the terrorist group.

The security apparatus in early August arrested the group’s leader Masa’ad al –Sidairah and some other group leaders among them the group’s political secretary al-Obaid Ibrahim and Ali Salah Eddeen, Imam of Addaroashab suburb mosque in Khartoum North. The latter is accused of being a “hatchery” for ISIS new recruits.

Sudan Tribune has learnt that authorities had finished interrogation of these figures on Friday and on Sunday relegated their file to the criminal investigations prosecutor in anticipation of their indictment.

If indicted, they will stand trial before the terrorism court or a special tribunal.

An expert on the jihadist and salafist groups , al-Hadi Mohamed al-Amin, says this case, if the legal procedures are completed, will be the fifth of its kind to be tried in Sudan.

He recalls the trial of Mohamed al-Khilayfi and two other accomplices who opened gunfire at worshippers in a mosque in the city of Omdurman in the 1990’s as well as three other terror incidents committed by similar groups.

Several entities had secretly tried to mediate and resolve the matter between the government and this group, but to no avail.

Al-Amin is of the view that these jihadists will most likely refuse to hire defence lawyers “because they , in principle , believe that the current law and constitution do not conform with Islamic Sharia’a (legislation).’’

Sheikh Sidairah runs a religious institute in Shambat suburb, Khartoum North. The authorities consider it a breeding ground for the jihadists.

Sidairah had publicly declared allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, but denied sending recruits to Iraq or Syria.

Previously , Sidairah’s family had petitioned with the authorities to release him and his associates or put them on trial .The family had cited that the men were old and sick and need medical care.

The group in January issued a statement appreciating the attack on the French magazine “Charlie Hebdo’’ in which 12 persons were killed and 11 others were hurt. It also approved the burning to death of the Jordanian pilot Mua’ath al-Kasasba by ISIS in February.

(ST)