Al-Basheer’s political advisor denies international pressure

KHARTOUM, Oct. 14, 2003 (KUNA) — Dr. Qutbi Al-Mahdi, political advisor to Sudan’s presidentOmar Al-Basheer, denied late Monday that there was any international or local pressure behind the release of Secretary-General of the Popular Conference opposition party Dr. Hassan Abdullah Al-Turabi.

At a press conference held last night, Al-Mahdi said what was announced earlier by Al-Turabi regarding pressure exerted by certain authorities for his release were not true.

He added that when he was arrested, Al-Turabi made similar claims that his capture was a result of pressure exerted by certain governments who had asked for his arrest.

Al-Mahdi said the details of Al-Turabi’s arrest were within the framework of his agreement with the John Garang-led government that was raising arms against the nation.

His calls for toppling the government are what led to his arrest, Al-Mahdi said, adding that after the latest agreements that have been signed these calls have subsided and there is no longer a need for his arrest.

Mahdi said a decision to issue a pardon, in addition to lifting censorship from the party and his newspaper, has its political ramifications in allowing Al-Turabi the opportunity to engage in political activities.