Sudan confiscates equipment from Al-Jazeera bureau

KHARTOUM, Dec 17 (AFP) — Sudanese authorities have confiscated equipment from the local bureau of Al Jazeera.

They have accused the Arab satellite channel of having incomplete import documents despite a customs testimony that the procedures were proper, the channel’s correspondent local said.

Islam Salih told AFP that a security official three days ago notified him that the operation of the office and the reports it transmits from Khartoum would be monitored.

“The official warned me that an administrative measure would be taken against the office because he said it transmits news that impairs the country’s sovereignty and national security,” Mr Salih said.

He said the same official on Wednesday asked him about a feature programme in which some opposition figures appeared.

Later, security men rushed into the office and seized a transmitter and three cameras, saying they had not passed through customs.

Mr Salih said the security men took him and his cameraman to the customs section concerned with smuggling where an official testified that the importation documents were proper and complete.

“Still, the security men insisted on holding the equipment for further investigation and let us go,” he said.