Sudanese Islamist leader Al-Turabi to be released very soon

KHARTOUM, June 29, 2005 (Sudan Tribune) — Secretary-General of the ruling National Congress party Ahmad Ibrahim Omar, has stressed that the government would release the secretary-general of the opposition Popular National Congress, Hassan al-Turabi within the next few hours.

According to the pro-governmental Sudan Media Centre (SMC) Omar said that Al-Turabi’s release was not a remarkable action on the part of the National Congress and that the issue was not up for discussion.

The release of Al-Turabi’s, who has been in custody for more than a year, comes within the framework of creating an open political space and democratic reforms that would allow all the political forces to abide by the law as well as the peace agreement and constitution.

It is expected that the president of the republic, Omar al-Bashir would announce in his speech to the Sudanese nation on Thursday 30 June, marking the 16th anniversary of the “National Salvation Revolution”, the release of all political prisoners and no political detainee would remain in prison.

Compiled with material provided by the BBC Monitoring Service
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